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Subcellular neuronal quasicrystals: Implications for consciousness.
1The School of Biological Sciences; The University of Sydney ; Sydney, NSW Australia.
Communicative & Integrative Biology
|October 20, 2015
Summary
Neuron receptors form quasicrystals, potentially enabling quantum effects in neurotransmission and consciousness. Microtubules may influence receptor clustering and form quasicrystals themselves.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
- Quantum Biology
Background:
- Neuron neurotransmitter receptors are typically pentameric structures.
- Biological quasicrystals are analogous to mathematical aperiodic tilings.
- Quasicrystals may necessitate quantum effects for their existence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential role of pentameric neurotransmitter receptors in forming biological quasicrystals within neurons.
- To investigate the hypothesis that quantum effects, required for quasicrystals, may be integral to neurotransmission and consciousness.
- To examine the involvement of microtubules and other cellular components in quasicrystal formation and function.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the pentameric structure of neurotransmitter receptors.
- Comparison of biological quasicrystals with mathematical aperiodic tilings.
- Theoretical consideration of quantum effects in biological systems.
- Investigation of microtubule interactions with receptors and cytoskeletal components.
Main Results:
- Pentameric receptors can form pentagonal components, consistent with quasicrystal structures.
- The existence of quasicrystals suggests a potential role for quantum mechanics in neuronal function.
- Microtubules are implicated in modulating receptor clustering and may form quasicrystals.
- Other neuronal components like water, cholera toxin, actin, and ankyrin may also form quasicrystals.
Conclusions:
- Neuron neurotransmitter receptors' pentameric nature facilitates the formation of biological quasicrystals.
- This quasicrystal formation may integrate quantum effects into neurotransmission, potentially influencing consciousness.
- Microtubules and other cellular structures may participate in or modulate these quasicrystal phenomena.
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