Quantum mechanics plays an essential role in biological processes like photosynthesis
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 58/100
Accumulating experimental and theoretical evidence strongly supports the role of quantum mechanics in biological systems, demonstrating that quantum coherence and exciton delocalization facilitate highly efficient energy transfer during photosynthesis.
Evidence for · 4
Quantum biology: From mechanisms to medicine.
2026 · cited by 2
Reviews how quantum mechanical phenomena such as coherence and tunneling contribute significantly to biological functions, including photosynthetic energy transfer.
Evidence against · 1
Lack of Excitation Energy Transfer from the Bacteriochlorophyll Soret Band to Carotenoids in Photosynthetic Complexes of Purple Bacteria.
2021 · cited by 8
Finds that excitation energy transfer from the bacteriochlorophyll Soret band to carotenoids is absent or negligible in certain purple bacteria photosynthetic complexes.
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More for · 3
Exciton Delocalization Promotes Far-Red Absorption in a Tetrameric Chlorophyll <i>a</i> Light-Harvesting Complex from <i>Trachydiscus minutus</i>.
2025 · cited by 2
Demonstrates through multiscale quantum chemical calculations that protein-controlled excitonic coupling of chlorophyll pigments drives efficient far-red light harvesting.
Realistic Quantum Control of Energy Transfer in Photosynthetic Processes
2016 · cited by 2
Examines how quantum coherence and nonlocal correlations enhance excitation energy transfer probability in photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes.
Ultrafast exciton energy transfer dynamics in the cryptophyte light-harvesting antenna phycoerythrin 566.
2025 · cited by 1
Uses ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and coherent modified Redfield theory to elucidate the coherent delocalization and ultrafast energy transfer pathways in photosynthetic antennae.