A review of the applications of solid state physics concepts to biological systems

Abstract

The evidence for solid state physical processes in diverse biological systems is reviewed. Semiconduction of electrons across the enzyme particles as the rate-limiting process in cytochrome oxidase is evidenced by the peculiar kinetic patterns of this enzyme and by microwave Hall effect measurements. PN junction conduction of electrons is suggested by kinetics of photobiological free radicals in eye and photosynthesis. Superconduction at physiological temperatures may be involved in growth and nerve. Phonons and polarons seem likely to be involved in mitochondrial phosphorylation. Piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity may be involved in growth and nerve. Infrared electromagnetic waves may transmit energy in lipid bilayers of nerve and mitochondria. Complexed sodium and potassium ions in structured cell water may be analogous to valence band electrons in a semiconductor, and the free cations may be considered analogous to conduction band electrons. Ionic processes in cell water therefore resemble electronic conduction processes in solid semiconductors, which leads to kinetic predictions in agreement with experiment. The future of solid state biology depends on the development of new experimental methods able to measure solid state physical properties in biological materials which are non-crystalline, impure, particulate, and wet.