Jim Al-Khalili Argument Summary

Summary:

Jim Al-Khalili poses the idea that quantum mechanics can be the answer behind why a living cell functions that way it does. The speaker argues that life must ultimately depend on quantum mechanics, the strange behaviour of atoms at the molecular level where atoms can multitask. He explains that the biggest mysteries behind biological phenomena such as the movement of enzymes and the mutation of DNA, are controlled by quantum mechanics. As well quantum mechanics explains why the sun shines, why plants carry out photosynthesis and how animals know where to migrate. Although these phenomena are very speculative, it has been proven by scientific evidence that dates back even to the early 1900s and today more and more studies are arising.

I found some of Jim Al-Khalili's points to be convincing, while other points are not justified. The speaker states three main arguments. The first is the idea that quantum tunneling assists in chemical reactions in the body. Jim Al-Khalili argues that "a proton (in an enzyme) can disappear from one place, and reappear on the other[10:00]", showing its quantum abilities. However, there are plenty of more testable macro explanations for the phenomena.To my extent of knowledge in biology; this can be explained simply because individual molecules are free to move in the liquid inside our bodies. In my opinion, this can also be thought of as a sandbox of atoms where enzymes are free to mix around with other substances such as hydrogen peroxide which is catalyzed by catalase (common enzyme found in most organisms). I do not think that protons in the enzyme disappear and reappear; instead it speeds up reactions by moving in a continuous pattern at a very fast rate. In the second example, Jim Al-Khalili introduces quantum coherence, the ability of atoms to multitask. He references a paper that show proof of quantum coherence taking place inside bacteria and carrying out photosynthesis by carrying out several tests. This strengthens his point because he shows the audience that this idea has been accepted by many scientists. I find this find concept to be true because I cannot think of another mechanism that could absorb 95% of sunlight and transfer it into energy in less than trillionths of a second. Since this has also been observed in labs "by sending ultrafast femtosecond light flashes to capture a high-speed series of 'pictures' of the states of individual antenna proteins after light absorption", we have solid evidence of the existence of quantum effects in photosynthesis. In the speaker's last point,