bioluminescence

     

Bioluminescence is the prouction and emission of light by a living organism as the result of a chemical reaction during which chemical energy is converted to light energy. Its name is a hybrid word, originating from the Greek bios for "living" and the Latin lumen "light". Bioluminescence may be generated by symbiotic organisms carried within larger organisms. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is involved in most instances. The chemical reaction can occur either inside or outside the cell. In bacteria, the expression of genes related to bioluminescence is controlled by an operon called the Lux operon. Bioluminescence has appeared independently several times (up to 30 or more) during evolution.

Trivia about bioluminescence

  • Rotting meat may glow because bacteria exhibit the phenomenon called this
  • Identifying gender & luring prey are 2 functions of this light emitting process in fish
  • Emmet Chappelle brightened up the 2007 pool for studying this, the ability of living organisms to emit light
  • The production of illumination by living creatures
  • From Greek & Latin for "life light", it's the production of light by certain living organisms, like fireflies
  • The emission of light by living organisms like fireflies

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