Quantum-mechanical coherence in cell microtubules : a realistic possibility?
We discuss the possibility of quantum-mechanical coherence in Cell MicroTubules (MT), based on recent developments in quantum physics. We focus on potential mechanisms for 'energy-loss-free' transport along the microtubules, which could be considered as realizations of Frohlich's idea...
| Veröffentlicht in: | Bioelectrochemistry and bioenergetics (Lausanne, Switzerland). - 1999. - 48(1999), 2 vom: 14. Mai, Seite 273-84 |
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| 1. Verfasser: | |
| Format: | Aufsatz |
| Sprache: | English |
| Veröffentlicht: |
1999
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| Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | Bioelectrochemistry and bioenergetics (Lausanne, Switzerland) |
| Schlagworte: | Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
| Zusammenfassung: | We discuss the possibility of quantum-mechanical coherence in Cell MicroTubules (MT), based on recent developments in quantum physics. We focus on potential mechanisms for 'energy-loss-free' transport along the microtubules, which could be considered as realizations of Frohlich's ideas on the role of solitons for superconductivity and/or biological matter. In particular, by representing the MT arrangements as cavities, we review a novel scenario, suggested in collaboration with D.V. Nanopoulos, concerning the formation of macroscopic (or mesoscopic) quantum-coherent states, as a result of the (quantum-electromagnetic) interactions of the MT dimers with the surrounding molecules of the ordered water in the interior of the MT cylinders. We suggest specific experiments to test the above-conjectured quantum nature of the microtubular arrangements inside the cell. These experiments are similar in nature to those in atomic physics, used in the detection of the Rabi-Vacuum coupling between coherent cavity modes and atoms. Our conjecture is that a similar Rabi-Vacuum-splitting phenomenon occurs in the absorption (or emission) spectra of the MT dimers, which would constitute a manifestation of the dimer coupling with the coherent modes in the ordered-water environment (dipole quanta), which emerge due to the phenomenon of 'super-radiance' |
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| Beschreibung: | Date Completed 20.07.1999 Date Revised 03.11.2019 published: Print Citation Status MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 0302-4598 |