How Plants use Quantum Physics to Boost Photosynthesis
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Summary
In short, this article explains how the most efficient way for photosynthesis to happen is through quantum physics. The article gives a brief background on photosynthesis and concludes that " [w]hen a photon excites molecules inside a cell, the energy does not hop through the system, but follows different energy pathways at once, simultaneously searching for the most efficient way into the reaction center where the chemical reaction actually takes place. This is known as the quantum principle of superposition, or being in many different places at the same time" (Moskvitch, 2013). The article continues to talk about how coherence is evident in many aspects of nature and talks about how scientists conducted studies on a purple bacterium called Rhodopseudomonas acidophila which " applies the exact same principles of light harvesting to survive as plants do" (Moskvitch, 2013). The article finishes off with a section called "Rings of power" which points out the structure of the bacteria and "molecules that make up one light-harvesting complex" (Moskvitch, 2013). A study was conducted and "researchers isolated individual rings, and put them outside the bacterium, on a surface. When a photon comes into contact with an isolated ring, some of it gets emitted as fluorescence, which is essentially the spontaneous transfer of energy from a high-energy level to a lower-energy level" (Moskvitch, 2013). Unfortunately, the scientists could not find "the factors affecting the frequency of the coherence and whether it is possible to vary it [but] the findings could lead to boosting the efficiency of the light-harvesting process" (Moskvitch, 2013) such as photosynthesis.
Personal Opinion
I don't agree with this article completely because I agree that there may be some factors that can help the efficiency of photosynthesis but I don't think that it can be found through quantum physics. I believe that plants have reached their maximum efficiency rate of 95% (Moskvitch, 2013) and will not surpass it. For instance, when our class did the lab about limiting factors of photosynthesis, we observed that when some factors reach a certain point, the efficiency will not increase any further. Therefore, I find this article interesting and hope to see some results in the future as well but I am also skeptical about it.
Impacts
The information in this article can impact and/or affect two main groups in students and professionals.
Relevance to Metabolic Processes
In relation to metabolic processes, the lab we did talks demonstrates the factors effecting rate of photosynthesis and the process of photosynthesis in the notes covered in class. Not only does this article summarize the process of photosynthesis but also talks about how scientist can use quantum physics to surpass the limiting factors and increase rate of photosynthesis.
In short, this article explains how the most efficient way for photosynthesis to happen is through quantum physics. The article gives a brief background on photosynthesis and concludes that " [w]hen a photon excites molecules inside a cell, the energy does not hop through the system, but follows different energy pathways at once, simultaneously searching for the most efficient way into the reaction center where the chemical reaction actually takes place. This is known as the quantum principle of superposition, or being in many different places at the same time" (Moskvitch, 2013). The article continues to talk about how coherence is evident in many aspects of nature and talks about how scientists conducted studies on a purple bacterium called Rhodopseudomonas acidophila which " applies the exact same principles of light harvesting to survive as plants do" (Moskvitch, 2013). The article finishes off with a section called "Rings of power" which points out the structure of the bacteria and "molecules that make up one light-harvesting complex" (Moskvitch, 2013). A study was conducted and "researchers isolated individual rings, and put them outside the bacterium, on a surface. When a photon comes into contact with an isolated ring, some of it gets emitted as fluorescence, which is essentially the spontaneous transfer of energy from a high-energy level to a lower-energy level" (Moskvitch, 2013). Unfortunately, the scientists could not find "the factors affecting the frequency of the coherence and whether it is possible to vary it [but] the findings could lead to boosting the efficiency of the light-harvesting process" (Moskvitch, 2013) such as photosynthesis.
Personal Opinion
I don't agree with this article completely because I agree that there may be some factors that can help the efficiency of photosynthesis but I don't think that it can be found through quantum physics. I believe that plants have reached their maximum efficiency rate of 95% (Moskvitch, 2013) and will not surpass it. For instance, when our class did the lab about limiting factors of photosynthesis, we observed that when some factors reach a certain point, the efficiency will not increase any further. Therefore, I find this article interesting and hope to see some results in the future as well but I am also skeptical about it.
Impacts
The information in this article can impact and/or affect two main groups in students and professionals.
- Students are affected by this article because if this theory is proven right, the entire concept of metabolic processes can be questioned even further. For instance, if it is possible to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis then is it possible to increase the efficiency of cellular respiration too? If such a theory is proven then the students knowledge of biology will be altered and cause them to further explore the impossible.
- Professionals are also affected by the article because if this theory is proven then this would create new jobs for citizens and will also help farmers create more product by increasing the rate of photosynthesis of their plants. The economy would prosper since more products are coming in and new professions can be created such as a new type of farmer.
Relevance to Metabolic Processes
In relation to metabolic processes, the lab we did talks demonstrates the factors effecting rate of photosynthesis and the process of photosynthesis in the notes covered in class. Not only does this article summarize the process of photosynthesis but also talks about how scientist can use quantum physics to surpass the limiting factors and increase rate of photosynthesis.
References
Moskvitch, K. (2013, June 27). How Plants use Quantum Physics to Boost Photosynthesis. Retrieved November 12, 2013, from NBC News Science: http://www.nbcnews.com/science/how-plants-use-quantum-physics-boost- photosynthesis-6C10477922