Life entangled

A useful overview article of developments in quantum biology here summarizes recent research into possible roles in smell, photosynthesis and vision.

Humans have 400 differently shaped smell receptors but can recognize 100,000 smells. Whether a quantum effect (electron tunneling) plays a role remains a matter of speculation.

Chroomonas, the quantum algae

While physicists struggle to get quantum computers to function at cryogenic temperatures, other researchers are saying that humble algae and bacteria may have been performing quantum calculations at life-friendly temperatures [of around 21 C] for billions of years.

-- NS report on Coherently wired light-harvesting in photosynthetic marine algae at ambient temperature (doi:10.1038/nature08811)

Superposition of being

Animals and other living things cannot escape time's arrow because we are founded on processes subject to the second law of thermodynamics.

A double life thanks to quantum weirdness may, it's reported, be achievable for very small living things... if you accept a virus as a living thing. It sounds as if the technique proposed would have the effect not of reversing the arrow but sidestepping it by multiplying the possibilities of existence.

The method proposed could, it's even suggested, be used on more complex life forms such as tardigrades. Well, tardigrades (also known as waterbears) are certainly tough, but this sounds like a stretch, at least for now.

Bioquantum effects

Quantum effects...may explain how the first steps of photosynthesis convert light to chemical energy with such high efficiency. Other studies suggest that quantum tricks may enable migratory birds to navigate using Earth’s magnetic field lines.

-- from Living Physics by Susan Gaidos.

(Hat tip, BT)