Quantum Mechanics

From Derek Lowe’s excellent blog, we see this fascinating bit of the intersectionality of math, chemistry, and biology.

Now what, you are asking yourself, does all this have to do with chemistry or biology? Well. . .if Grover-algorithmic processing is some sort of fundamental property of nature, then you might expect the genetic material to be synthesized most efficiently when the machinery has a choice of four different nucleotides. And when translating these into proteins, a triplet code (which requires three processing steps) would function most efficiently when working with a palette of 20 amino acids. I will admit to being unusually susceptible to ideas like this, but that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

It’s almost like there’s a well-oiled design lurking beneath the surface and we’re only starting to fully understand it. it will be fascinating to see what else we learn as science matures.

Frost City

Math as art: “Frost City” is one of my fractal pieces, explored, rendered, and colored in Apophysis 7X.


Comments

6 responses to “Quantum Mechanics”

  1. I think it means that quantum mechanics applies to everything, and from now on, we will have an additional (and superior) way of looking at everything, including life.

    1. Sure, but for most ordinary purposes the application of quantum mechanics is too fine of a scale to be relevant to what is being discussed.

      1. I’m cool with that.

  2. Chemical molecules in their existence are purely quantum mechanical. Their dynamics are classical. It’s not obvious how to get from 63 triplets (plus for bacteria the STOP triplet) to 20 amino acids rather than 31. But its a fine description.

  3. “Chemical molecules in their existence are purely quantum mechanical. …”

    I understood precisely none of that comment, and precisely none of the Lowe quote! However, “Frost City” makes me think of somewhere an evil witch queen might live. 🙂

    1. Thank you! I try to evoke stories with my art.