Birds navigate thousands of kilometers with astonishing precision. They rely on Earth’s magnetic field for direction. Scientists now uncover quantum effects behind this superpower.
Magnetoreception in birds fascinates researchers. A protein called cryptochrome sits in the birds’ eyes. Blue light activates these cryptochromes. Moreover, it triggers radical pair formation.
Electrons in the radical pairs spin in specific ways. Quantum entanglement links the two unpaired electrons. Earth’s weak magnetic field influences their spin states. Therefore, the radical pair mechanism senses tiny field changes.
This quantum process happens extremely fast. It occurs before classical physics can explain it. Additionally, the radical pairs separate or recombine differently. As a result, chemical signals vary with magnetic direction.
Birds detect inclination and intensity of the field. They do not sense polarity like a compass needle. Furthermore, experiments disrupt this sense with radio waves. Radio frequencies matching electron spin resonance break the quantum effect.
Quantum coherence lasts surprisingly long in warm, wet cells. Vibrations and shielding protect the delicate states. Thus, evolution fine-tuned cryptochromes for sensitivity.
This discovery bridges quantum physics and biology. It explains how migratory birds find their way across oceans. Moreover, it inspires new quantum sensor technologies. Nature’s quantum compass still amazes scientists today.
CMP Bio World 