Possible Mechanisms for the Biomolecular Absorption of Microwave Radiation with Functional Implications
James R. Rabinovitz · 1973
A theoretical analysis suggests that microwave radiation may interfere with stereospecific biomolecular processes by altering non-covalent molecular structure.
Plain English Summary
The author performed a theoretical analysis of several possible modes of molecular absorption of microwave radiation. Absorption increases rotational energy, allowing segments to occupy different potential wells or tunnel between wells, changing the relative position of segments without altering covalent bonds. These non-covalent structural changes provide a model for direct interference with biomolecular functions that depend on internal three-dimensional structure.
Why This Matters
At normal biological temperatures background microwave photons are very scarce, so non-irradiated systems only experience collision-induced excitations in this energy range. The processes most likely to be affected are intermolecular interactions that depend on steric conformation in regions essentially shielded from collisions.
Finding
The molecular absorption, with the resulting change in non-covalent molecular structure outlined above, provides a model for the direct interference of microwave radiation with biomolecular function, where the internal three-dimensional structure of the absorbing molecule is critical to its biological function.
In their words
“The molecular absorption, with the resulting change in non-covalent molecular structure outlined above, provides a model for the direct interference of microwave radiation with biomolecular function, where the internal three-dimensional structure of the absorbing molecule is critical to its biological function.”
Show BibTeX
@article{possible_mechanisms_for_the_biomolecular_absorption_of_microwave_radiation_with__g4874,
author = {James R. Rabinovitz},
title = {Possible Mechanisms for the Biomolecular Absorption of Microwave Radiation with Functional Implications},
year = {1973},
}