Does quantum mechanics play a non-trivial role in life? | Macquarie University ResearchOnline

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Title: Does quantum mechanics play a non-trivial role in life?
Related: Biosystems, Vol. 78, Issue 1-3, p.69-79
DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2004.07.001
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2004
Author/Creator: Davies, P. C. W
Description: There have been many claims that quantum mechanics plays a key role in the origin and/or operation of biological organisms, beyond merely providing the basis for the shapes and sizes of biological molecules and their chemical affinities. These range from Schrödinger's suggestion that quantum fluctuations produce mutations, to Hameroff and Penrose's conjecture that quantum coherence in microtubules is linked to consciousness. I review some of these claims in this paper, and discuss the serious problem of decoherence. I advance some further conjectures about quantum information processing in bio-systems. Some possible experiments are suggested.
Description: 11 page(s)
Subject Keyword: molecular biology
Subject Keyword: quantum computing
Subject Keyword: quantum information
Subject Keyword: decoherence
Subject Keyword: biophysics
Resource Type: journal article
Organisation: Macquarie University. Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Organisation: Macquarie University. Australian Centre for Astrobiology

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