Slide 1
Living organisms can make light through chemistry
Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction in a living organism. It occurs in many marine groups and some land organisms.
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It differs from fluorescence, which absorbs incoming light and re-emits it. A bioluminescent animal can produce light in darkness without needing an external beam to illuminate it first.
Slide 2
Luciferin and luciferase take part in many light reactions
Many light-producing reactions involve a molecule called luciferin and a catalyst called luciferase. A catalyst helps a reaction proceed. The reaction can release energy as light.
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These names describe functional roles rather than one universal chemical pair. Different groups use different molecules, and some animals rely on luminous bacterial partners instead of making the light entirely themselves.
Slide 3
A light can lure prey within reach
Some animals use luminous structures to lure prey. A small light in dark water can draw another organism close enough to capture.
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A signal useful to a predator may be costly to its target. The meaning of a light depends on who sees it, not on whether humans find the display beautiful.
Slide 4
A flash can distract a predator during escape
A sudden glow can startle a predator or distract it. Some organisms release luminous material while moving away from danger.
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Others use light along the underside to match illumination from the surface and reduce their silhouette. Concealment can therefore involve producing light rather than simply avoiding it.
Slide 5
Patterns and timing can also help animals communicate
Bioluminescence can also help members of a species find or recognize one another. Pattern, timing and location give a display information.
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Researchers do not know the function of every luminous feature. Observing when an organism glows and who responds provides stronger evidence than assigning one purpose to all biological light.
Sources
- Bioluminescence
Smithsonian Ocean
- What is bioluminescence?
NOAA