Biomedical subjects

C Portelli

Publications and source records attributed to C Portelli.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1979

The origin of life. A cybernetic and informational process.

According to the model presented in this paper, the beginning of life was marked by the coupling of two complementary nucleotide bases: adenine and thymine. The adenine-thymine system received photons from the sun and stored their energy in the form of a chemical high-energy bond between two phosphoric acid molecules, which were before-hand fixed by adenine from the aqueous environment. The energy of the high-energy bond was then delivered in the form of two waves of electronic excitation. These were utilized to synthesize new molecules, starting from the carbonic acid and ammonia molecules, fixed from the aqueous environment by the polar groups of the nucleotide bases. In this way, a nucleotides-histone protosystem (NHPS) was self-synthesized, evolving step by step towards complexity, by means of some internal cybernetic and informational mechanisms. During its evolution, the NHPS synthesized a limiting membrane, produced the organizing elements of the cellular organelles (chloroplastes, mitochondria, ribosomes etc) and constructed microtubules and microfilaments. Subsequently, the NHPS evolved to the building of DNA-histone system and formed the cellular nucleus.

Adenine↗

PubMed1976

DNA-histones, a computer model.

The model of DNA-histones has the following elements: 1. The hydrogen bonds between the complementary nucleotide bases function as informational gates. When the electrons pi of one nucleotide base are excited, an exchange of protons is produced between the two complementary bases. The result is the displacement of the conjugated double bonds which facilitates the inter-molecular transmission of the electronic wave of excitation by electro-magnetic coupling. 2. Each triplet of nucleotide bases of DNA fixes one definite amino acid (as in the genetic code). Between the nucleotide bases and the amino acids there are constituted informational gates, which ensure the circulation of the electronic wave of excitation. 3. An input signal molecule arrives at the receiver gene and unleashes the activity of the enzymes which introduce in the DNA-histones system the electronic wave of excitation. The electronic wave of excitation arises as a result of the break of the high-energy bonds of ATP. Then, the electronic excitation is transmitted to the productor gene where it represents the signal for starting the synthesis of the mRNA.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1975

A model of the mechanisms of memory.

The neuronal information is formed by 2 waves: electronic and ionic, which enter the neuron at the level of the excited synapses. The neurofilaments lead to the transmission of the electronic wave, while the microtubules direct the ionic wave. Arriving at the level of the nuclear membrane, the electronic wave of excitation enters the system DNA-histones, which works as a computer. The electronic wave is retransmited to a bundle of neurofilaments, then it is carried to a certain collateral of the axon. In its movement, the electronic wave guides the ionic wave toward certain synapses, so that the specific connections between the input and the output signals are assured.

Brain↗

PubMed1975

DNA -a computer model.

The model of the system DNA-histones functioning like a computer has the following elements: 1. The hydrogen bonds between the complementary nucleotide bases function as informational gates. When the pi electrons of a nucleotide base are excited, an exchange of protons is produced between the 2 complementary bases. The result is the displacement of the double conjugated bonds which facilitate the intermolecular transmission of the electronic wave of excitation by an electromagnetic coupling. 2. Each triplet of nucleotide bases of DNA fixes a certain amino acid (as in the genetic code). Between the nucleotide bases and the amino acids there are constituted informational gates, which ensure the circulation of the electronic wave of excitation.

Computers↗

PubMed1975

Learning and evolution.

Between the trinucleotides standing on the 2 chains of DNA, connections are made by means of amino acids, according to the signals received from the environment. Three types of connections are formed: the succession and the simultaneity connections, which explain the process of learning, and the evolutionary connection, which produces the phylogenetic evolution.

Biological Evolution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The mechanism by which the energy is released at the level of the flavoenzyme molecule during the transfer of two electrons.

The model of a mechanism producing the excitation of two electrons by the rotation of an orbital is presented functioning at the level of the flavoenzyme molecule. According to this model, during the transfer of two electrons from an NADH coenzyme to a flavoenzyme molecule, in a reaction cavity of the flavoprotein, two (Fe2+:S) covalent bonds are formed. Subsequently to the electric polarization induced by the formation of some intermolecular connections and by some fixed ions, and (Fe2+:S) orbital turns with an angle, having the nucleus of the sulfur atom as a pivot point, in such a way that an (Fe2+) ions is left out from the covalent bond, and it is replaced by a proton (released from a water molecule). A new (S:H) orbital is formed. Within this (S:H) orbital, the proton moves towards the nucleus of the sulfur atom, from 2.10 A degrees internuclear distance (position in which the proton was included by the orbital rotation) to 1.36 A degrees internuclear distance--corresponding to the length of the (S:H) covalent bond. By the proton movement, the two electrons of the (S:H) orbital arrive on an excitation state level. Then, they fall to their fundamental level and deliver two quanta of electronic excitation, which are transmitted further and help the synthesis of an ATP molecule.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of the sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ions in the transfer of bioenergy, and the possibility of their substitution by other cations.

According to a previously presented model, two sodium ions and one calcium ion form an electric polarizing system of the diverging type, which favours the breaking of the high-energy bond of the ATP molecule, while two potassium ions and one magnesium ion form an electric polarizing system of the converging type, which helps the rebuilding of the high-energy bond of the ATP molecule. The condition required by one of the above-mentioned ions to be replaced with another type of ion (belonging to the same subgroup in Mendeleev's Table) capable of having a similar physiologic function is that the substitute ion be included in the same model of electric polarization (convergent or divergent) as the substituted ion. The electrocardiogram and mechanogram of the isolated frog heart were observed. The heart was perfused with a modifier Ringer solution in which some of the normal component ions were replaced with other ions belonging to the same principal subgroup in Mandeleev's Table. The necessary condition provided by the model for two ions of different types to have a resemblance in their physiological activity was confirmed by the results of the experimental data.

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Why there are only levo amino acids in the chemical composition of the living organisms.

In the structure of the DNA-histone system there are three kinds of elements which present spatial asymmetries: a) the D-deoxyribose molecules; b) the two strands of DNA which are wound counter-clockwise around the helical axis; c) the levo amino acids of the histones. This paper presents data and arguments which demonstrate that all these spatial asymmetries are interdependent and compose a unique system.

Amino Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The energy transductions at the level of the acetyl-coenzyme A and of cytochrome molecules.

According to the model presented in this paper, the free energy necessary to the synthesis of the ATP molecules is delivered by a unique mechanism. This mechanism consists in the formation of an (Y:X) orbital, which turns with an angle, having the X atom as a pivot point, such that the Y atom is left out from the covalent bond and is replaced by a proton, released from a water molecule. Thus, a new (X:H) orbital is formed. In this first stage, within the newly formed (X:H) orbital the proton is situated at an internuclear distance equal to the length of the hydrogen bond (X...H). Then, the proton moves towards the nucleus of the X atom until it reaches the internuclear distance corresponding to the minimum energy. By the proton displacement, the two electrons of the (X:H) orbital arrive on an excited state level. Then they fall on their corresponding fundamental orbital, releasing two waves of electronic excitation. The two waves of electronic excitation are further transmitted to an acceptor of energy molecule.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The energetics of the active ionic transport across biomembranes.

A model of the energetics concerning the active ionic transport across biomembranes is presented. According to this model, the transfer of energy is made between a donor molecule and a receiver molecule, this being the manifestation of some electronic transitions, with the release, transfer and storage of two quanta of electronic excitation. The transfer of energy is accompanied by an exchange of ions between the donor molecule and the receiver molecule. If the two coupled molecules are fixed in the structure of a biomembrane, this ionic shift produces an active ionic transport across the respective membrane. The energy necessary to the accomplishment of the active ionic transport results from the difference between the energy released by the donor molecule and the energy stored by the receiver molecule.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Energy and muscular contraction.

In this paper, a model of the chemical energy conversion into mechanical energy is presented. According to this model, for each stage, the transfer of the energy is produced in the framework of a polymolecular system composed by a donor molecule, an enzyme and an acceptor molecular couple. The energy is released in the form of two quanta of electronic excitation. The transfer of the energy determines the change of the orbital directions, as well as the ionic constellations previously fixed at the level of the donor molecule and at the level of the acceptor molecular couple. Subsequently, an allosteric modification of the enzyme which connects the donor with the acceptor molecular couple is produced. The conversion of the chemical energy into mechanical energy is explained by means of the ions movement and by the conformational changes of the enzymes involved in the processes of the energy transfer.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Consideration on the genetic code.

In this paper there are presented data and arguments which indicate that the genetic code also contains the information for the assembling of the trinucleotides and amino acids in the DNA-histones system, which works as an intra-cellar computer.

Genetic Code↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of the sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ions in the transfer of energy at the level of the ATP molecule.

According to our model, in the stage which precedes the delivery of energy from the high-energy bond, one calcium ion and two sodium ions are fixed by the phosphates of the ATP molecule. In this way, a triangle of ions with the peak situated near the high-energy bond is formed. This triangle is an electric polarizing system, which directs the electronic orbitals of the phosphates in two diverging directions, starting from the calcium ion and going to the two sodium ions. The above-mentioned polarization helps, at the opportune moment, the breaking of the high-energy bond and the delivery of two waves of electronic excitation. In the stage which precedes the recovery of the high-energy bond, one magnesium ion takes the position of the calcium ion, and two potassium ions replace the two sodium ions. These ions form a polarizing system, which directs the electronic orbitals of the ADP and phosphoric acid molecule in two converging directions, starting from the two potassium ions and arriving at the magnesium ion. This polarization favours the building of the high-energy bond, when two waves of electronic excitation arising from a donor molecule arrive at the level of the two phosphates which must be united.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗