Bioluminescence: Difference between revisions
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Bioluminescence is different than the typical light that people think of in their homes. When a person thinks of light, they think of a lamp or flashlight, or perhaps of a flame. All of these forms of light are called incandescence and include the production of heat. Bioluminescence is unique in that the light is not produced from extreme heat, but rather from the combining of two chemicals in a process called luminescence. Luminescence, unlike incandescence, produces no heat while still emitting a vibrant glow, much like a glow stick. [http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/bioluminescence1.htm] | Bioluminescence is different than the typical light that people think of in their homes. When a person thinks of light, they think of a lamp or flashlight, or perhaps of a flame. All of these forms of light are called incandescence and include the production of heat. Bioluminescence is unique in that the light is not produced from extreme heat, but rather from the combining of two chemicals in a process called luminescence. Luminescence, unlike incandescence, produces no heat while still emitting a vibrant glow, much like a glow stick. [http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/bioluminescence1.htm] | ||
Bioluminescence in plants and animals, as aforementioned, occurs through the process of two chemicals combining, which ultimately produces light in addition to other byproducts. The reaction begins with the two elements, luciferin and luciferase. The luciferin is a type of light producing substance that is affected by a catalyst. The catalyst, usually a type of luciferase, sometimes a protein called photoprotein, initiates the reaction in coordination with a crucial charged ion. Sometimes, other substances are also necessary for this reaction to occur, including oxygen or ATP (adenosine triphosphate). After the chemical reaction occurs, products remain such as light, oxyluciferin, and water. [http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/bioluminescence1.htm] | Bioluminescence in plants and animals, as aforementioned, occurs through the process of two chemicals combining, which ultimately produces light in addition to other byproducts. The reaction begins with the two elements, luciferin and luciferase. The luciferin is a type of light producing substance that is affected by a catalyst. The catalyst, usually a type of luciferase, sometimes a protein called photoprotein, initiates the reaction in coordination with a crucial charged ion. Different liciferins and luciferases are employed in different types of bioluminescent creatures. Coelenterazine is the luciferin used in marine bioluminescence, while photosynthesis is employed for the reaction by dinoflagellates. Sometimes, other substances are also necessary for this reaction to occur, including oxygen or ATP (adenosine triphosphate). After the chemical reaction occurs, products remain such as light, oxyluciferin, and water. [http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/bioluminescence1.htm] | ||
== Boiluminescence and Science == | == Boiluminescence and Science == | ||
Revision as of 06:00, 6 May 2011
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Intro
Bioluminescence Displayed in Nature
There are many plants and animals on earth that produce their own light for various purposes. The vast majority of these organisms are aquatic deep sea creatures, but also includes numerous bacteria, insects, and fungi. The following is a list of some of the more well-known bioluminescent creatures on earth. It is important to remember that this includes only a small percentage of such creatures and that there are most likely still many more creatures that have bioluminescent characteristics that have not yet been discovered.
- Eukaryotes: bacteria (i.e. Shewanella hanedai and Shewanella woodyi)
- Fungi: mushrooms (i.e. ghost fungus and the jack o’lantern mushroom)
- Aquatic creatures:
- Fish: anglerfish, cookie cutter shark, flashlight fish, gulper eel, lantern fish, midshipman fish, and viperfish
- Invertebrates: sea pens, coral, jellyfish, octopus, sea starts, sea cucumbers, krill, clams, nudibranchs, and squid
- Arthropods (bugs): glow worms, fireflies, click beetles, centipedes, millipedes, and mycetophilid flies
- Mollusks: land snails (i.e. Quantula striata)[1][2]
These intriguing creatures utilize their bioluminescence for a variety of purposes. Some creatures, such as fireflies, use their vibrancy to attract a mate. Others, like the cuttlefish, use their illuminating abilities to communicate with one another through a series of light flashing patterns and colors. Starfish, nudibranchs, and other types of aquatic creatures use their bioluminescence to blend in with their surroundings or the moon light from above them. The intimidating lantern fish lures its prey in with its overhanging light before snatching up its meal with razor sharp jaws. It is suggested that some forms of fungi, among other organisms, ward away predators or warn of dangerous poisons with their glow. [3]
How Bioluminescence is Produced
Bioluminescence is different than the typical light that people think of in their homes. When a person thinks of light, they think of a lamp or flashlight, or perhaps of a flame. All of these forms of light are called incandescence and include the production of heat. Bioluminescence is unique in that the light is not produced from extreme heat, but rather from the combining of two chemicals in a process called luminescence. Luminescence, unlike incandescence, produces no heat while still emitting a vibrant glow, much like a glow stick. [4]
Bioluminescence in plants and animals, as aforementioned, occurs through the process of two chemicals combining, which ultimately produces light in addition to other byproducts. The reaction begins with the two elements, luciferin and luciferase. The luciferin is a type of light producing substance that is affected by a catalyst. The catalyst, usually a type of luciferase, sometimes a protein called photoprotein, initiates the reaction in coordination with a crucial charged ion. Different liciferins and luciferases are employed in different types of bioluminescent creatures. Coelenterazine is the luciferin used in marine bioluminescence, while photosynthesis is employed for the reaction by dinoflagellates. Sometimes, other substances are also necessary for this reaction to occur, including oxygen or ATP (adenosine triphosphate). After the chemical reaction occurs, products remain such as light, oxyluciferin, and water. [5]
Boiluminescence and Science
Origin
creation.com icr.org answersingenesis.org creationresearch.org
References
Additional Information
- Wikipedia Bioluminescence
- Lucifer on the Loose by Willis Keithley. CRSQ 26(4):131, March 1990.
- Synthesis of Cypridina Luciferin
- The Bioluminescence Web Page
- The Firely Files
