Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence (/ˌbaɪoʊˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns/) is a process through which light is produced and emitted by a living organism. It is a type of chemiluminescence that occurs in various organisms including some bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish, and fungi.

Etymology

The term "bioluminescence" is derived from the Greek "bios" for "living" and the Latin "lumen" for "light".

Mechanism

Bioluminescence occurs when a molecule called a luciferin is oxidized by an enzyme, often referred to as a luciferase. The energy released by this reaction is emitted as light. The color of the light depends on the structure of the luciferin and can range from blue to green, red, or even near-infrared in some species.

Functions

Bioluminescence serves various functions in different organisms. In deep-sea creatures, it is often used for camouflage, predator evasion, prey attraction, and communication. In terrestrial organisms like fireflies, it is primarily used for mate attraction.

Related Terms

Chemiluminescence: The emission of light during a chemical reaction that does not involve the absorption of light or other electromagnetic radiation.
Luciferin: A generic term for the light-emitting compound found in organisms that generate bioluminescence.
Luciferase: A generic term for the class of oxidative enzymes used in bioluminescence.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Bioluminescence
Wikipedia's article - Bioluminescence

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Bioluminescence