Scientists will probably never fully understand photosynthesis as additional research uncovers even more fascinating mysteries.^1,2 ICR’s Dr. Jeffery Tomkins gives an overview of this incredible biochemical procedure:

Photosynthesis is a highly complex process in plants that produces carbohydrates from water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight using a light-to-electron energy conversion process that operates at near-perfect levels of quantum efficiency. The light energy harvesting process to fuel this amazing system starts with the absorption of sunlight. In the machinery of the plant cell, the light-based energy is rapidly transferred from a specialized antenna network to a reaction center, where a charge transfer process converts photon-based light energy into electrochemical energy.³

Now, the mysterious field of quantum mechanics⁴ has been discovered to be another part of the equally enigmatic transformation of light energy into life energy.⁵ Science writer Eric Ralls stated recently in an article on Earth.com,

When sunlight streams onto a leaf, something remarkable happens. Energy from those rays flows through molecular pathways with an efficiency that has sparked curiosity for generations....Researchers around the world are intrigued because these plants seem to tap into the puzzling principles of quantum mechanics to manage light energy with hardly any losses.⁶

Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that investigates the behavior of light and matter at the atomic and subatomic levels. In 2010, biologist Brian Thomas, Ph.D., described quantum mechanics in lowly algae.

Experiments have shown that light, as well as electrons, can travel along two wave-like paths at the same time and yet arrive at the same place. In quantum-speak, these paths are said to exist in “coherence.”

Scientists have measured the control of light in coherence by a protein that is involved in photosynthesis. Certain proteins with molecular “antennae” are structured to capture and transfer light energy. When combined with a host of nearby as well as faraway protein machines, they use this energy to build the chemicals on which all other living things depend.⁷

Now another quantum mechanical phenomenon has been found in plants: “There is a concept known as a superposition where energy or particles overlap in multiple possible states. It sounds futuristic, yet plants have harnessed it for billions of years to maximize their solar intake.”⁶ (Notice evolutionists admit to how advanced and high-tech such a process is, but they must nonetheless see it in terms of purely random events and deep evolutionary time.) Professor Hauer, from Technical University Munich (TUM), explains, “When light is absorbed in a leaf, for example, the electronic excitation energy is distributed over several states of each excited chlorophyll molecule; this is called a superposition of excited states.”⁶

But this energy must be kept from leaking away. This has driven scientists to investigate something called fast relaxation steps that keeps the energy flow from decreasing, “These fast steps include a balance of vibrations, state couplings, and energy release in the form of heat.”⁶

Are these fast steps (not to mention superposition and a protein controlling coherence) really the result of chance, natural processes, and deep time?

It should be noted that brilliant scientists using sophisticated equipment and having millions of dollars in research grants are peering into the subatomic realm to copy what supposedly blind chance (“Nature”) has done. Once determined, they will apply the quantum mechanical discoveries to electrical technology to improve efficiency. One scientist from TUM stated, “Applying these findings in the design of artificial photosynthesis units could help to utilize solar energy with unprecedented efficiency for electricity generation or photochemistry.”⁶

But like it or not, the scientists are copying what God—not evolution—has designed in the beginning. The apostle Paul addressed this misplaced emulation when he stated,

Because, although they [i.e., all humans who suppress the truth of God in unrighteousness] knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness....And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind.⁸

References

1. Sherwin, F. Photosynthesis Continues to Amaze. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org March 14, 2019.
2. Thomas, B. Plants’ Built-in Photosynthesis Accelerators. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org November 20, 2014.
3. Tomkins, J. Design Principles Confer Optimal Light Harvesting in Plants. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org July 13, 2020.
4. DeYoung, D. 1998. Creation and Quantum Mechanics. Acts & Facts. 27 (11).
5. Thomas, B. Photosynthesis Uses Quantum Physics. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org June 25, 2012.
6. Ralls, E. Plants Rely on Quantum Mechanics to Manage and Transfer Energy. Earth.com. Posted on earth.com February 27, 2025.
7. Thomas, B. Algae Molecule Masters Quantum Mechanics. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org February 17, 2010.
8. Romans 1:21–26a, 28a.

Image credit: Andrey Kotov200514, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Adapted for use in accordance with federal copyright (fair use doctrine) law. Usage by ICR does not imply endorsement of copyright holder.  

* Dr. Sherwin is a news writer at the Institute for Creation Research. He earned an M.A. in invertebrate zoology from the University of Northern Colorado and received an honorary doctorate of science from Pensacola Christian College.