If the gene is a large molecule with discrete quantum states and high energy barriers between isomeric configurations, then it will exhibit long-term stability and rare spontaneous mutations.

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• Spontaneous mutations are rare isomeric transitions between stable molecular states separated by high energy barriers.claim0.836
  Schrödinger identifies quantum-jump transitions between isomeric states as the physical mechanism of mutation.
• Mutations are quantum jumps between isomeric states of the gene molecule.claim0.822
  The discontinuous, jumping nature of mutations is explained by the discrete energy levels of the gene molecule.
• If mutations are isomeric jumps between states with different energy levels separated by a high barrier, then the forward and reverse mutation rates should differ, with the transition from higher to lower energy occurring more frequently.hypothesis0.818
  Hypothesis on the directionality of mutation rates.
• How can we, from the point of view of statistical physics, reconcile the facts that the gene structure seems to involve only a comparatively small number of atoms and nevertheless displays a most regular and lawful activity with a durability that borders upon the miraculous?question0.812
  The specific puzzle about the stability of the genetic material.
• Quantum theory permits both long-term structural stability and discrete discontinuous changes—both required for genetic inheritance and mutation.finding0.809
• Quantum mechanics is essential for explaining long-term stability of genetic structures against thermal perturbation.claim0.807
  Central claim: without quantum-mechanical energy thresholds and discrete states, hereditary information could not survive across generations.
• Isomeric molecules are equally stable despite identical energy levels because transition requires passage through higher-energy intermediate configurations.finding0.800
• The number of atoms involved in the responsible gene structure is likely to be very small, yet it displays a most regular and lawful activity with a durability that borders upon the miraculous, remaining unperturbed by the disordering tendency of heat motion for centuries.claim0.798
  Schrödinger's statement of the puzzle that quantum mechanics resolves.