Unusual Quantum Effect Discovered in Earliest Stages of Photosynthesis

[2on2u]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524092932.htm

ScienceDaily (May 24, 2012) — Quantum physics and plant biology seem like two branches of science that could not be more different, but surprisingly they may in fact be intimately tied.

Snip:
>>These pigment molecules, or chromophores, are responsible for absorbing the energy carried by incoming light. After a photon hits the cell, it excites one of the electrons inside the chromophore. As they observed the initial step of the process, Argonne scientists saw something no one had observed before: a single photon appeared to excite different chromophores simultaneously.

"The behavior we were able to see at these very fast time scales implies a much more sophisticated mixing of electronic states," Tiede said. "It shows us that high-level biological systems could be tapped into very fundamental physics in a way that didn't seem likely or even possible."

The quantum effects observed in the course of the experiment hint that the natural light-harvesting processes involved in photosynthesis may be more efficient than previously indicated by classical biophysics, said chemist Gary Wiederrecht of Argonne's Center for Nanoscale Materials. "It leaves us wondering: how did Mother Nature create this incredibly elegant solution?" he said.<<

[ProdigalJunkMail]

1. i would surmise

that Mother Nature didn't create it...just took advantage of it.

sP

[geckosfeet]

3. Agreed. Evolution is mama's way of using physics.

[2on2u]

4. Surely none of the many millions of clever tactics nature has developed

have ever occurred on any of the goldilocks planets.... oh no, couldn't be.

[sofa king]

6. Concur.

It seems a little bit like crediting a wood-burning stove for inventing fire.

[zeemike]

11. A stove to invent fire...

[drm604]

2. This is fascinating.

Evolution is a powerful force, so I guess it makes sense that it could find a way to exploit something like this.

[Lucinda]

5. Very interesting!

Thankie!

[magical thyme]

7. I love photosynthesis

I love quantum physics.

I am in love.

[2on2u]

8. Like your name.... you know a pinch of thyme saves wine....

http://www.wineandthyme.com/

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Yeah! Next stop: The Lexx!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. I wonder how long it took to to develop

through evolution? With the unicellular organisms it may have been established millions of years ago?

[Gregorian]

12. My guess is there is never going to be an "aha" moment.

But we are going to continue to find deeper and stranger phenomenon. These kinds of things both excite as well as anger me. Such a fine and intricate world, and we continue to treat it like it's nothing special. But I digress...

[coalition_unwilling]

13. This is totally cool and has made my morning, even though I'm merely an

interested layperson.