How Long Do Quantum Effects Last in Biological Processes?

[exponent137]

Not long ago some biological phenomena were found that have quantum background. These are photosyntesis, quantum smell (Luca Turin), sensation of Earth magnetic field by European Robin etc.

What are coherence times of these phenomena?

 

[bhobba]

Decoherence happens very very quickly at the classical level of biology.

What is going on here is similar to why transistors work - its a classical object - but it depends on QM to explain it - in that particular case the physics of quasi particles like holes.

Thanks
Bill

 

[meBigGuy]

This paper has some biological examples
Experimental motivation and empirical consistency
in minimal no-collapse quantum mechanics
Maximilian Schlosshauer

http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0506199v3