Quantum decoherence in microtubules

Abstract

Not all activities in living creatures can be explained by classical dynamics. The application of quantum physics in biology helps to study the unexplained phenomena in cells. More detailed research work is needed rather than rejecting the concept of the intervention of quantum physics in biology. Here, we have used some concepts introduced by Hameroff and Penrose (Hameroff, S et al, Neural Network World 5:793-804, 1996) and some quantum models to show the quantum decoherence in neurons. Assuming a quantum superposition of dimers in microtubules, we have separately presented two types of interaction with its environment. For interaction with a bosonic environment, we have shown that the decoherence time scale depends on a constant factor that depends on the interaction coefficients and amplitude of spectral density. For interaction with a spin environment, we have pointed out one case where the coherent superposition state of a dimer is strong enough to survive against the environmental induced decoherence.