Quantum Evolution

[Meatros]

I've been reading up a little on quantum physics and it's implications for the world around us (by reading up, I mean reading internet articles)and I remember reading that quantum physics either was or could be the source for genetic mutations.

Can anyone elucidate this for me?

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for a book for a layman's understanding of quantum physics I'd appreciate it.

[Chronos]

In the sense that radiation can cause mutations, and radiactivity is basically a quantum process, yes, quantum mechanics is responsible for mutation. Or, viewed more broadly, you can say that all physical processes, microscopic and macroscopic, are ultimately quantum mechanical, including the physical processes underlying evolution. But I'm not really seeing anything deep or meaningful here...

[gtbiehle]

An excellent book is _In Search of Schroedinger's Cat_ by John Gribbin. The "o" in Schroedinger has an unlaut on it, but I don't know how to do that. In a search engine, you might spell it "Schrodinger".