title: Energy transfer as parametric excitation: an examination of nonlinearity in enzymatic reaction, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, electron tunneling, and electron transfer.
abstract: Chemical parametric excitation is presented as the fundamental mechanism of energy transfer. Together with the Franck-Condon principle, it provides a mechanically sound explanation for enzymatic reaction, nerve excitation, muscle contraction, and electron transfer at a basic level. Intermediate between macroscopic models of membrane asymmetry and molecular models, the new model rests on a systematic approach, proposed here, to organizational aspects of the energy transfer processes. In support, a derivation is given of the chemical analog of the Manley-Rowe power conservation relations for parametrically excited electrical networks. This extension to chemical systems indicates for the first time an explanation of power flow directionality and delegates a pumping role to the enzyme. The generalized Manley-Rowe relations are suggested to be a universal law of nature. In such case, nonlinearity could be attributable to the coupling of three systems by these generalized Manley-Rowe conditions relating flows/reactions/oscillations--even though separately each system might be described by linear (Onsager) relations.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D004579:Electron Transport; D004735:Energy Transfer; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009431:Neural Conduction; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes