Plants perform quantum mechanics feats that scientists can only do at ultra-cold temperatures [near absolute zero]

Freethink ^ | June 22, 2023 | Elizabeth Fernandez

[SunkenCiv]

In a Bose-Einstein condensate, the bosons within a material have such low energy that they all occupy the same state, acting as a single particle. This allows quantum properties to be seen on a macroscopic scale. A Bose-Einstein condensate was created in a lab for the first time in 1995, at a temperature of a mere 170 nanokelvin.

Now, let’s look at what happens in a typical leaf during photosynthesis.

Plants need three basic ingredients to make their own food — carbon dioxide, water, and light. A pigment called chlorophyll absorbs energy from light at red and blue wavelengths. It reflects light at other wavelengths, which makes the plant look green.

At a molecular level, things get even more interesting. Absorbed light excites an electron within a chromophore, the part of a molecule that determines its reflection or absorption of light. This kicks off a series of chain reactions that end up producing sugars for the plant...In the future, room-temperature Bose-Einstein condensates may have practical applications. Since they act as a single atom, Bose-Einstein condensates may give us insight into quantum properties that would be difficult to observe at the atomic level. They also have applications for gyroscopes, atom lasers, high-precision sensors of time, gravity, or magnetism, and higher levels of energy efficiency and transfer.

[SunkenCiv]

• This article was reprinted with permission of Big Think, where it was originally published [May 27, 2023]

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger.

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[Dr. Sivana]

But officer! This ISN'T "Silly String", it's "Giggle String", see?

[wastoute]

Plants have a billion year history of being able to pluck electrons off of pyruvate one at a time.

[SunkenCiv]

Heh, let’s see how that works out. ;^)

[jcon40]

Interesting website. Thx

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure. I was gonna have a salad, but...

[Honorary Serb]

I have thought that photosynthesis (and perhaps mitochondrial respiration) might involve quantum mechanics for a long time.

Now perhaps real proof—and a new field of quantum biology—may be on the way!

[GingisK]

New title for article: Vegetables out-think nuclear physicists.