Quantum processes in biological molecules. Enzyme catalysis

The oxidation - reduction enzymatic reaction is treated as a nonadiabatic multiquantum transition from the initial substrate - enzyme complex to a free product and free enzyme, taking into account the contribution of low-frequency (conformational) degrees of freedom of the enzyme molecule to the quantum transition described in terms of the reaction coordinate. It is demonstrated that the electromagnetic field has a marked effect on the enzymatic reaction rate by exciting low-frequency vibrations of enzyme molecules, a fact from which the nature of the so-called narrow biological resonances may be understood. A new mechanism giving rise to ultraviolet radiation from biological membranes is discussed. The theory can be used to explain the origin of ultraviolet radiation and dipole ordering of globular cell proteins. (reviews of topical problems)