Does Quantum Physics Affect the Cardiovascular System?

[Identity]

Hi everyone, I had to write about the cardiovascular system in biology and that got me thinking, would quantum effects alter the flow of oxygen or other chemicals around the body? Atoms really aren't that small, electron microscopes can after all see them, but at what scale do quantum effects actually occur? Thanks.

 

[christianjb]

Yes- but in subtle ways. The largest effect would be for protons/H nuclei involved in H-bonds. For example, D2O (heavy water) has slightly different properties to H2O because of zero-point differences.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hi everyone, I had to write about the cardiovascular system in biology and that got me thinking, would quantum effects alter the flow of oxygen or other chemicals around the body? Atoms really aren't that small, electron microscopes can after all see them, but at what scale do quantum effects actually occur? Thanks.

The fact that you have O2 instead of just O in ordinary oxygen gas, and that you can have a phase transition between solid and liquid, etc. are evidence of quantum effects. In fact, chemistry in general are evidence of quantum effects even before QM was discovered/formulated.

Zz.

 

[christianjb]

The fact that you have O2 instead of just O in ordinary oxygen gas, and that you can have a phase transition between solid and liquid, etc. are evidence of quantum effects. In fact, chemistry in general are evidence of quantum effects even before QM was discovered/formulated.

Zz.

I assume the poster was referring to nuclear zero-point effects. I could be wrong.

 

[Identity]

hmmm actually I was more referring to quantum probability and Heisenbergian physics

 

[ZapperZ]

hmmm actually I was more referring to quantum probability and Heisenbergian physics

Then you have a very narrow idea of what quantum mechanics and its effects are. Your modern electronics are "quantum effects". That is the only way we have understood the behavior of semiconductors, insulators, and ordinary conductors.

Zz.

 

[Identity]

Sorry, I only have a surface understanding of physics