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quantum superposition of their wave function. Microtubules are filaments within cells that form a supporting matrix known as the cytoskeleton and are involved in signal and chemical transduction through the cell. Penrose and Hameroff theorised that the collapse of the quantum wave function of the pi electrons could produce subneuronal processing of information and be the source of consciousness within the brain. As a wave function, the electrons can form a quantum coherent state known as a_ Bose-Einstein condensate. In this state, all of the electrons essentially behave as a single particle or, more precisely, as a single correlated wave function, with non-local entanglement that allows for the quasi-instantaneous transfer of | or momentum of the quanta can be determined. This is information. During normal modes of brain activity, | known as subjective reduction, and it is called subjective such as the electrical activity that produces beta because it requires the consciousness of the observer. oscillations, these states are exceedingly fleeting. The challenge for Penrose and Hameroff was in However, when a person is sufficiently isolated from attempting to describe the genesis of consciousness environmental perturbations, such as in a meditative through the collapse of the wave function, and not the state in which visual, auditory and cognitive stimuli are collapse of the wave function through conscious reduced to a minimum, the electrical activity of the | observation. He therefore came up with the concept of brain can enter into a brain-wave pattern known as the objective reduction, in which the wave function collapses gamma oscillation. The gamma oscillation is characterised after exceeding a threshold in space-time curvature. by synchronised spatiotemporal action potentials that This would be an effect of quantum gravity. The concept sweep through the entire brain, back and forth, 40 times _is truly astounding in that it marries quantum a second. In this state, the Bose-Einstein condensate — mechanics, special relativity and molecular biology into can be maintained and can coherently entangle with the the explanation of a given phenomenon, pi electrons within the microtubules found in virtually While the theory is very exciting, it may not be every cell of the body. The body becomes one quantum-coheren whole, and the individua experiences a feeling of oneness. This macroscopic biologica quantum-coherent state also allows the individual to tune specifically into hyperspace and _ access information directly from the Field. Additionally, microtubules and Dendrite Dendritic Spine/Synaptic Receptor VY Membrane | _ pean Microtubule Microtubule Associated Protein Schematic of an intracellular microtubule network in a neuron. 9 T* Ad many other biopolymers such as . V2 OY DNA can form soliton waves that can BKXOOrvY ~ produce many particle-like Segeeeet eS phenomena such as phonons and SB AN Bose-Einstein condensates. This ~~. again is a form of non-classica communication and quantum functionality within the biologica system. Normally when a wave function is — Microtubule diagrams depicting the structural architecture of the molecule. interrogated by a physicist, it | Within the hollow tube, delocalised pi electrons may be sufficiently sheltered collapses and the definite position from the environment to form quantum-coherent states. or momentum of the quanta can be determined. This is known as subjective reduction, and it is called subjective because it requires the consciousness of the observer. The challenge for Penrose and Hameroff was in attempting to describe the genesis of consciousness through the collapse of the wave function, and not the collapse of the wave function through conscious observation. He therefore came up with the concept of objective reduction, in which the wave function collapses after exceeding a threshold in space-time curvature. This would be an effect of quantum gravity. The concept is truly astounding in that it marries quantum mechanics, special relativity and molecular biology into the explanation of a given phenomenon. While the theory is very exciting, it may not be system. Normally when a wave function is interrogated by a physicist, it collapses and the definite position NEXUS ¢ 47 Schematic of an intracellular microtubule network in a neuron. FEBRUARY - MARCH 2012 www.nexusmagazine.com