Why genetic information processing could have a quantum basis

Patel, Apoorva (2001) Why genetic information processing could have a quantum basis. In: Journal of Biosciences, 26 (2). pp. 145-151.

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Abstract

Living organisms are not just random collections of organic molecules. There is continuous information processing going on in the apparent bouncing around of molecules of life. Optimization criteria in this information processing can be searched for using the laws of physics. Quantum dynamics can explain why living organisms have 4 nucleotide bases and 20 amino acids, as optimal solutions of the molecular assembly process. Experiments should be able to tell whether evolution indeed took advantage of quantum dynamics or not.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of Biosciences
Publisher:	Indian Academy Sciences
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Indian Academy Sciences.
Keywords:	Amino acid;computation;database search;DNA;enzyme;Information;Nucleotide base;Protein;Quantum coherence;Quantum mechanics;Superposition;Unitary evolution
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Centre for Theoretical Studies (Ceased to exist at the end of 2003)
Date Deposited:	07 Feb 2007
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:16
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/1968

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