Newly-discovered mechanism may change what we know about life

May 22, 2012 15:36 GMT  ·  By

Studies conducted over the past few years are beginning to suggest that living cells may be able to communicate with one another through light, by emitting and absorbing photons. Scientists call these special wave-particles biophotons.

According to some experts, energy-carrying excitons are responsible for transporting biophotons produced by a variety of molecular processes to the cellular surface. This is the same means of transport seen during photosynthesis in plants.

Cells only produce low amounts of biophotons, scientists believe, to the order of dozens per second per square centimeter. This is a very low number, but one that can be detected if experts know what to look for. This is undoubtedly one of the most promising areas of research in biology today.

Technology Review reports that in order for the biophotons to be considered a form of communication, they need to have some type of structure. This will be the focus of upcoming studies.