Quantum biology

Quantum biology is a speculative and interdisciplinary field that seeks to link quantum physics and the life sciences. Essentially, it is an attempt to study biological processes in terms of quantum mechanics (QM), using quantum theory to study the structure, energy transfer and chemical reactions of biological molecules in an effort to apply quantum principles to macroscopic systems as opposed to the atomic or subatomic realms generally described by quantum theory. Fundamental biological processes that involve the conversion of energy into forms that are usable for chemical transformations are quantum mechanical in nature. These processes involve chemical reactions themselves, light absorption, formation of excited electronic states, transfer of excitation energy, and the transfer of electrons and protons (hydrogen ions) in chemical processes such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration. . Quantum biology uses mathematical computation to model biological interactions in light of QM effects. An unresolved and still controversial issue in this field is that of non-trivial (i.e. not limited to properties of molecules) role of quantum effects in biological systems.

Studies
Some of the biological phenomena that have been studied in terms of quantum processes are the absorbance of frequency-specific radiation (i.e., photosynthesis and vision) ; the conversion of chemical energy into motion ; magnetoreception in animals and brownian motors in many cellular processes. The field has also been active in researching QM analysis of magnetic fields and bird navigation, and may possibly shed light on Circadian rhythms in many organisms.