Solving the Mysteries of Life with Quantum Mechanics

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Solving the Mysteries of Life with Quantum Mechanics

As described in “Quantum Mechanics, Artificial Intelligence, and Natural Language Processing” quantum mechanics is a theory for describing physical phenomena on a microscopic scale and is important for understanding and clarifying various phenomena such as the behavior of particles and atomic nuclei, the structure of matter, and the properties of light. In recent years, quantum mechanics has been pointed out to be closely related to several problems and phenomena related to the mysteries of life and life phenomena. In this article, I would like to discuss these issues.

The following are some of the issues that have been discussed with regard to the relevance of quantum mechanics to life.

Structure and reaction of biomolecules: Quantum mechanics is the basis for understanding the structure and behavior of atoms and molecules, and the structure and reaction of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and DNA) can be explained according to the laws of quantum mechanics. In particular, quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations are used to understand the structure and interactions of biomolecules.
Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the process by which living organisms convert sunlight into energy. Photosynthesis efficiently captures light energy and generates energy through electron transfer and chemical reactions. The description of the interaction between photons and electrons and excited states by quantum mechanics plays an important role in understanding this mechanism of photosynthesis.
Chemical sensation and tactile perception: The chemical sensation and tactile perception of living organisms involve microscopic chemical interactions. The theory of quantum mechanics explains the interactions between molecules and the quantization of vibrations, and contributes to our understanding of the sensory systems of living organisms related to the reception of aroma and taste, the mechanism of touch, and so on.
Quantum correlations in living organisms: Some processes in living organisms may involve correlated quantum phenomena such as electrons and spin. Quantum correlations are discussed in relation to biological phenomena such as sensory perception, photosynthesis, bird migration, and chemical reactions, and their potential is discussed by quantum mechanical theory and experimental results.

These studies will be areas where quantum mechanics is playing an active role as a method for solving the mysteries of life. However, life phenomena are extremely complex and cannot always be completely explained by quantum mechanics alone. Many integrated studies of life science and quantum mechanics are currently in progress, and further understanding is needed to solve the fundamental mechanisms and mysteries of life.

These are discussed in detail below.

The structure and reactions of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and DNA) according to the laws of quantum mechanics

The structure and reactions of biomolecules may be understood according to the laws of quantum mechanics. Some of these are discussed below.

Understanding molecular structure: Quantum mechanics is the basis for describing the structure of atoms and molecules. The interaction between the nucleus and electrons of a molecule is described using quantum mechanical wave functions, which explain the geometric properties of the molecule, such as bond lengths, bond angles, and double and triple bonds. The electron configuration and electron density distribution in a molecule are also estimated by quantum mechanical computational methods.
Analysis of chemical reactions: Quantum mechanics is an important tool for understanding the mechanisms and rates of chemical reactions. Energy changes from reactants to products, transition states during reactions, and reaction pathways between transition states are calculated and simulated using quantum mechanical approaches. This allows us to elucidate reaction mechanisms such as the formation and breaking of bonds between molecules, and the formation and dissociation of chemical bonds.
Quantum Tunneling: In quantum mechanics, a phenomenon called quantum tunneling plays an important role. This is a phenomenon in which particles (e.g., electrons and protons) penetrate barriers through quantum mechanical effects in order to overcome reaction barriers. In biomolecules, quantum tunneling can play an important role in processes such as enzyme reactions and DNA charge transfer.
Effects of quantum correlations: When quantum effects such as electrons and spins in biomolecules are correlated, the correlations can affect the functions and reactions of the biomolecules. This is the case, for example, in the mechanisms of photosynthesis and haptic perception in vivo, where quantum correlation effects are thought to play an important role.

These examples demonstrate that quantum mechanics can be applied as a fundamental principle to understand biomolecular structures and reactions, but systematic studies of biomolecules are still ongoing and many challenges and mysteries remain. Because of the complex interplay of biomolecules and their interactions with the environment, further research is needed to gain a holistic understanding of biomolecules.

Explanation of the mechanism of photosynthesis by quantum mechanics

Photosynthesis becomes a biological process that converts light energy into chemical energy. The mechanism of photosynthesis is explained based on the principles of quantum mechanics, and the major quantum mechanical steps of photosynthesis are described below.

Light absorption: Photosynthesis begins with the absorption of light energy. Photosynthetic biomolecules (such as chlorophyll and carotenoids, which function as light-scavenging pigments) absorb light at specific wavelengths, and photosynthetic pigments absorb energy and enter excited states through quantum mechanical transitions.
Energy transfer: Excited photosynthetic pigments transfer their energy to another nearby molecule. This energy transfer is known as quantum mechanical resonance energy transfer. Quantum mechanical principles explain that the excited states of electrons are correlated between the excited state of the photosynthetic dye molecule and the ground state of the acceptor molecule, resulting in efficient resonance energy transfer.
Electron transfer: When energy is transferred to the accepting molecule, electrons are activated and a redox reaction occurs. This results in the continuous transfer of electrons through the photosynthetic electron transfer chain and the accumulation of chemical energy. Based on quantum mechanical principles, electrons are able to penetrate the reaction barrier and transfer efficiently through a phenomenon called quantum tunneling.
Charge Separation: One of the most important steps in photosynthesis will be the charge separation in the photochemical reaction. In this step, electrons are passed from excited photosynthetic dye molecules and electrons and holes (positive charges) are separated. The electrons and holes exist in different localized states in different molecules, and this is how charge separation is achieved. Based on the principles of quantum mechanics, the wave nature of the electrons and their quantized energy levels assist in this separation process.
Chemical Reactions: In photosynthesis, electrons and holes undergo a variety of chemical reactions, ultimately combining into redox chains to produce chemical energy. This leads to the conversion of energy from ADP to ATP and the reduction of oxygen to water. These reactions are understood based on quantum mechanical effects and analysis of reaction rates.

As described above, the mechanism of photosynthesis is explained by quantum mechanical steps such as absorption of light energy, energy transfer, electron transfer, charge separation, and chemical reactions. These steps are correlated with quantum interactions within the biomolecules that enable photosynthesis, and research is still ongoing to understand the detailed mechanisms and efficiency of photosynthesis.

Quantum mechanical explanation of the chemical senses and tactile perception of living organisms

Quantum mechanics plays several important roles in the chemosensory and tactile mechanisms of living organisms. Some of these are discussed below.

Reception of chemical sensation: Chemical sensation is the ability of an organism to perceive chemical substances. For example, olfaction and taste are part of it. Quantum mechanics explains the mechanism by which organisms detect chemicals based on the interactions between molecules and the electronic structure of molecules. Quantum interactions between molecules and the transfer of electrons may also play an important role in the interaction of sensory receptors (receptor proteins) with chemicals.
Assisted chemical reactions: Quantum mechanical effects are also involved in chemical reactions within organisms. For example, enzymes act as catalysts and accelerate chemical reactions. Quantum mechanics can help analyze catalytic effects and reaction rates in enzymatic reactions. In enzymatic reactions, catalysts may interact with substrate molecules, altering the energy profile of the reaction pathway and increasing the reaction rate.
Effects of quantum tunneling: Quantum tunneling is one of the phenomena of quantum mechanics, in which particles move across energy barriers. In the chemosensory and tactile senses of living organisms, quantum tunneling can be effective in detecting and reacting with chemicals. For example, in enzyme reactions, it is known that substrate molecules can quantum penetrate the reaction pathway barrier and increase the reaction rate.
Light-sensitive effects: Some organisms are sensitive to light, and there are biomolecules and biological systems that are activated by light. Quantum mechanics is a theory that describes the interaction of light and matter and helps us understand phenomena such as absorption of light energy, transitions to excited states, and electron transfer.

These examples show that the mechanisms of chemosensory and tactile perception in living organisms depend on quantum mechanical phenomena. Although quantum mechanics plays an important role in understanding the sensory functions of living organisms through concepts such as molecular interactions, analysis of electronic structure, interpretation of chemical reactions, and quantum tunneling, the sensory systems of living organisms are extremely complex and the influence of quantum mechanics does not extend to all aspects. Further research and experimentation are needed to gain a detailed understanding of the sensory mechanisms of living organisms.

Quantum correlations in vivo

Quantum correlations in living organisms refer to the possibility that quantum mechanical interactions and correlations are involved in biological processes and life phenomena. Some examples are listed below.

Quantum correlation in photosynthesis: Photosynthesis can be a biological process that converts light energy into chemical energy. In photosynthesis, photosynthetic dye molecules are excited and electrons are activated. This creates a quantum correlation between electrons and holes (positive charge), which has been suggested to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis.
Quantum correlations in chemosensation and tactile sensation: Quantum correlations may also be involved in the chemosensation and tactile sensation of living organisms. It has been suggested that quantum phenomena such as electron transfer and resonance energy transfer play an important role in the interaction between chemicals and biomolecules (e.g., receptor proteins).
Enzymatic reactions and quantum correlations: Enzymes play a role in catalyzing reactions in living organisms. Recent studies suggest that quantum correlations between electrons and nuclei play an important role in enzyme reactions. Non-local quantum correlations in electron-nucleus interactions may contribute to explain the unique rates and selectivities of enzyme reactions.
Quantum coherence in vivo: A phenomenon called quantum coherence (quantum interference) has been observed in some molecules and biological systems in vivo. Quantum coherence refers to the occurrence of quantum correlations between and within molecules in the processes of energy transfer and electron transfer. This is believed to enable efficient energy transfer and control of reactions.

These examples suggest that quantum correlations in vivo may play an important role in biological processes and life phenomena. However, research on quantum correlations in vivo is still in its early stages, and further studies are underway to understand their specific mechanisms and biological functions. Researchers are actively discussing and studying quantum correlations in vivo, and there are high expectations for further progress in this field.

Quantum Biology and the Mind

Quantum biology will be a field of study that seeks to integrate the principles and theories of quantum mechanics into the classical biological framework described above. Quantum mechanics is a theory for describing physical phenomena at microscopic scales and is effective for phenomena that are difficult to explain using classical physics, and some researchers have proposed that quantum effects may play an important role in biological processes and in the origin of life.

Among them, some studies suggest that quantum effects may also be involved in information transfer between neurons in the brain and in cognitive processes. As for the origin of the mind, modern science has yet to provide a complete answer, and since the mind refers to complex psychological processes that include consciousness, emotions, and thoughts, many theories and hypotheses exist regarding its origin.

Some scientists and philosophers have taken the position that the origin of the mind is seen in the interactions and networks of neurons in the brain, and according to them, the patterned information processing generated by the neural activity of the brain produces the activity of the mind. Microscopically, the patterns generated by the brain’s neural activity are thought to be caused by quantum correlations, and some hypothesize that the mind is generated by quantum phenomena.

Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology

from life on the edge: the coming of age of quantum biology

This is a book for the general public by Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist, and John Joe McFadden, a molecular biologist, and it is a book in which the various arguments mentioned above are explained in an easy-to-understand manner. In this book, while the quantum computer is fighting to extend its quantum state by a few tenths of a second, as described in “Quantum Computers: Overview and Reference Information/Reference Books” there is also the amazing story of how life actually uses quantum processes for energy transport in the body. The academic community was in an uproar over the idea that there is too much noise in a living organism, but it has been hypothesized that life is actually using the noise to maintain a quantum state.

The story provides various hints for thinking about artificial intelligence.

The following is a summary of the contents.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 What is Life?
Chapter 3: The Engine of Life
Chapter 4: Quantum Burbling
Chapter 5: Find Nemo's Home
Chapter 6 Butterflies, Drosophila, and Quantum Comadori
Chapter 7 Quantum genes
Chapter 8 Mind
Chapter 9 Origin of Life
Chapter 10 Quantum Biology: Life on the Edge of the Storm

Other Reference Books

“Quantum Evolution: Life in the Multiverse“

“Quantum Effects in Biology“

“Quantum Adaptivity in Biology: From Genetics to Cognition“