Quantum photosynthesis (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, June 21, 2013, 15:06 (3968 days ago)

Plants can convert sunlight into energy at the 95% rate in microseconds. We poor humans do it at 20% rate.- "Was the exploitation of quantum effects in photosynthesis driven by evolution to achieve the extraordinary efficiencies, or in other words did quantum transport outcompete other mechanisms during evolution? Are there other biological processes in which quantum effects play an important role? In the case of light-harvesting proteins quantum transportation allows extreme transport energy efficiency and robustness."-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130620142932.htm- "The most surprising discovery was that the transport paths within single proteins can vary over time due to changes in the environmental conditions, apparently adapting for optimal efficiency. 'These results show that coherence, a genuine quantum effect of superposition of states, is responsible for maintaining high levels of transport efficiency in biological systems, even while they adapt their energy transport pathways due to environmental influences'"-All I can say is, "WOW". All from a chance mechanism. No way.