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Metabolic limits on classical information processing by biological cells.

Chris Fields1, Michael Levin2

  • 123 Rue des Lavandières, 11160 Caunes Minervois, France.

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|August 27, 2021
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Biological energy budgets challenge classical processing. This study proposes that cells use quantum information processing for bulk biochemistry, with decoherence limited to membranes, requiring quantum theory for cell communication models.

Keywords:
BioenergeticsDecoherenceMetabolismMolecular dynamicsProtein conformationProtein localization

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Quantum Biology
  • Cellular Biochemistry

Background:

  • Classical models of biological information processing require significant energy for protein conformation and localization.
  • Measured cellular energy budgets are insufficient to support these classical states at the molecular level.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a new model for biological information processing that aligns with observed cellular energy constraints.
  • To suggest that quantum information processing may be utilized in cellular biochemistry.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cellular energy budgets in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
  • Comparison of energy requirements for classical versus quantum information processing models.
  • Theoretical proposal for decoherence limitations within cellular structures.

Main Results:

  • Cellular energy budgets are orders of magnitude lower than predicted by classical molecular dynamics models.
  • Quantum information processing is proposed for bulk cellular biochemistry, with decoherence confined to membrane boundaries.

Conclusions:

  • Quantum information processing may be fundamental to cellular functions, reconciling energy budgets with molecular dynamics.
  • Testing for Bell-inequality violations in cellular responses could validate the quantum model.
  • Intra- and intercellular communication may necessitate the application of quantum theory for accurate modeling.