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Subcellular neuronal quasicrystals: Implications for consciousness.

John Gardiner1

  • 1The School of Biological Sciences; The University of Sydney ; Sydney, NSW Australia.

Communicative & Integrative Biology
|October 20, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Neuron receptors form quasicrystals, potentially enabling quantum effects in neurotransmission and consciousness. Microtubules may influence receptor clustering and form quasicrystals themselves.

Keywords:
aperiodic tilingconsciousnessmicrotubuleneurotransmitter receptorsquantum computingquasicrystal

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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.