Estimation of the number of biophotons involved in the visual perception of a single-object image: Biophoton intensity can be considerably higher inside cells than outside

TL;DR

This paper proposes that biophotons generated by redox processes in retinal neurons may be sufficiently intense to contribute to visual perception, challenging the view of biophotons as mere cellular by-products.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hypothesis that biophotons are actively involved in visual perception, with calculations suggesting their intensity inside neurons can support intrinsic image formation.

Findings

Biophoton intensity can be higher inside cells than outside.

Biophotons may play a role in creating biophysical pictures during vision.

Redox processes in neurons could generate enough biophotons for visual perception.

Abstract

Recently, we have proposed a redox molecular hypothesis about the natural biophysical substrate of visual perception and imagery (B\'okkon, 2009. BioSystems; B\'okkon and D'Angiulli, 2009. Bioscience Hypotheses). Namely, the retina transforms external photon signals into electrical signals that are carried to the V1 (striate cortex). Then, V1 retinotopic electrical signals (spike-related electrical signals along classical axonal-dendritic pathways) can be converted into regulated ultraweak bioluminescent photons (biophotons) through redox processes within retinotopic visual neurons that make it possible to create intrinsic biophysical pictures during visual perception and imagery. However, the consensus opinion is to consider biophotons as by-products of cellular metabolism. This paper argues that biophotons are not by-products, other than originating from regulated cellular radical/redox processes. It also shows that the biophoton intensity can be considerably higher inside cells than outside. Our simple calculations, within a level of accuracy, suggest that the real biophoton intensity in retinotopic neurons may be sufficient for creating intrinsic biophysical picture representation of a single-object image during visual perception.