Photosynthesis May Rely On Quantum Effect

forgethistory sends us to PhysOrg for a summary of new research suggesting that the near instantaneous energy transfer achieved by photosynthesis may rely on quantum effects. From the article: "Through photosynthesis, green plants and cyanobacteria are able to transfer sunlight energy to molecular reaction centers for conversion into chemical energy with nearly 100-percent efficiency. Speed is the key — the transfer of the solar energy takes place almost instantaneously so little energy is wasted as heat. How photosynthesis achieves this near instantaneous energy transfer is a long-standing mystery that may have finally been solved."

Comments

The Plants Are Right to Laugh at You, Ralph

[Anonymous Coward]

I wonder if ferns ever look at us and laugh saying that non-quantum-sourced energy is so 3 billion years ago.

Re:The Plants Are Right to Laugh at You, Ralph

[slughead]

I wonder if ferns ever look at us and laugh saying that non-quantum-sourced energy is so 3 billion years ago.

Maybe so, but then some herbivore eat a thousand of them, we eat a hundred herbivores, and we're the benefactor of all their magic!

If humans were photoheterotrophic or photoautotrophic, we wouldn't have enough energy to do much more than sit there sulking like a stupid fern. One of the sad realities of a creature like Swamp Thing (an apparent photoautotroph) is that he wouldn't really be able to move quickly at all. It'd be very easy for some cow to walk up and start nibbling on him (oh sweet irony). Adrienne Barbeau would have to dump his ass for something higher on the food chain like an amoeba.

Adrienne Barbeau was hot in Swamp Thing. You really want to give that up just so you can have quantum-enhanced solar power? Wait, that does sound pretty cool.

Re:I'm sure a lot more things rely on quantum effe

[CmdrGravy]

Was there any specific quantum effect you had in mind or did your spell checker mysteriously substitute the phrase "quantum effects" for the word magic ?

Re:I'm sure a lot more things rely on quantum effe

[MightyYar]

I believe he said, "I'm high."