Preface

xi

Chapter 3 The Coupling of Atmospheric Electromagnetic Fields

with Biological Systems (Tsukasa Shigemitsu and Shoogo Ueno)

Tere are various electromagnetic phenomena on the earth. Since the earliest time, biological systems

have been exposed to electromagnetic felds produced by the earth itself, as well as electromagnetic felds

associated with lightning discharges and solar activity. It is presumed that the evolution of organisms

has been afected by these electromagnetic phenomena in various ways. Tis question of what relation­

ship exists between electromagnetic phenomena on the earth and the evolution of life has been a matter

of great interest. In this chapter, we briefy summarize how we are using natural electromagnetic phe­

nomena to actively sustain life, with some examples of basic natural electromagnetic phenomena and

their interactions with biological systems. In particular, the relationship between low-frequency elec­

tromagnetic felds caused by lightning discharges which are constantly occurring on a global scale and

physiological changes in humans and animals is summarized. In addition to electromagnetic phenom­

ena originating from atmospheric phenomena, man-made electromagnetic phenomena are expected

to become ever more prevalent in our daily lives in the future. Te need to harmonize global-scale

electromagnetic phenomena with the environment is discussed. For example, it has been reported that

the animals use actively the geomagnetic felds which include the magnetotactic bacteria, the behavior

of animals, migratory birds and plants as magnetoreception and electroreception. In this chapter, the

overview of the natural origins of electromagnetic phenomena on the earth, from the sun, atmosphere

and cosmic phenomena is presented with discussions on their interaction with biological systems.

Chapter 4 Spin Control Related to Chemical Compass of Migratory

Birds (Hideyuki Okano, Tsukasa Shigemitsu and Shoogo Ueno)

As one of the blue-light photoreceptor proteins, cryptochrome including favin adenine dinucleotide

(FAD) is widely distributed in nature, i.e., bacteria, plants and animals. Recently, the possibility that

cryptochromes serve as highly sensitive magnetoreceptors has been suggested strongly, and then several

research felds such as “Quantum Biology” are actively paying attention to this functional expression.

Te reaction for magnetic sensing is presumed to generate the radical pair between FAD and amino

acid residue as the intermediate by photoirradiation, i.e., a radical pair mechanism for quantum-assisted

magnetic sensing, which can detect even weak magnetic felds such as the geomagnetic feld (approxi­

mately 50 μT). By using such magnetoreceptors in the retina, migratory birds are assumed to perceive

visually in which direction to move. Tis chapter reviews historical background in theoretical physics

and ethology, and outstanding results in several research felds to date.

Chapter 5 Magnetoreception in Plants (Massimo Elimio Maffei)

Te geomagnetic feld efects in plants have been observed. However, the impact of the geomagnetic feld

on plants is not well-understood and the mechanism of magnetoreception in plants is still not scientifcally

well-organized. Te main models for magnetoreception are the magnetite model and radical pair model.

Te radical pair model is linked to the cryptochrome. Cryptochrome is a class of favor-proteins which

are sensitive to light and cryptochrome is found in a variety of plants and animals. Phytochrome and pho­

totropin are also photoreceptor proteins in plants. Te magnetic feld efect in plants relates to the light-

dependent plant process. In this chapter, the efects of the geomagnetic feld on plants are reviewed and the

possible mechanism of magnetoreception in plants is discussed with the involvement of photoreceptors.

Chapter 6 Geomagnetic Field Effects on Living

Systems (Hideyuki Okano and Shoogo Ueno)

Te evolution of life is afected by fuctuations and variations of geomagnetic feld intensity, as well

as changes in atmospheric oxygen level and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When the geomagnetic feld