How Fundamental Constants Shape Blood Viscosity and Sustain Cellular Life – New Study Reveals

Exploring the Role of Physical Constants in Sustaining Life

According to НВ — Техно: Physicist Kostya Trachenko from Queen Mary University of London has investigated how fundamental physical constants influence fluid dynamics and the possibility of life. Published on October 12, 2023, in Science Advances, his findings reveal that even slight variations in these constants can drastically alter fluid viscosity, a crucial factor for normal cellular function. The study emphasizes that fluid flow rates within organisms must align with specific physical parameters to maintain health.

The Importance of Fundamental Physical Constants

Constants such as the electron’s mass and charge, along with Planck’s constant, govern atomic structures, chemical reactions, and stellar processes. These constants also set a minimum threshold for fluid viscosity, which is essential for life. If viscosity becomes too high or too low, it could disrupt biological functions.

Trachenko notes, “Theoretical changes of just a few percent in constants like Planck’s constant or the electron charge could cause blood viscosity to become unsuitable for proper bodily functions.”

The conclusions stem from theoretical models, as physical experiments altering these constants are not feasible. Trachenko and his team plan to publish further research on blood viscosity in The European Physical Journal E in January 2025. Blood’s complex composition-including plasma, red blood cells, and platelets-affects flow resistance, since red cells can cluster and alter viscosity.

While these constants also influence nuclear reactions in stars that create life-essential elements like carbon and oxygen, the mere formation of these elements does not guarantee life’s existence. The underlying reasons why these constants hold their specific values remain a mystery, highlighting the need for continued exploration.

Trachenko’s work underscores the vital connection between fundamental physics and biological systems on Earth, as well as the potential for life beyond our planet. The sensitivity of fluid viscosity, especially in blood, to tiny shifts in physical constants could have far-reaching implications for astrophysics and the study of extraterrestrial life. This research lays important groundwork for future scientific investigations in this interdisciplinary field.