Question

What is bioluminescence?

Answer 1

Luminescence is the spontaneous emission of the light by any substance. The emitted light does not result from heat that’s why it is called cold light.

Complete Answer:
- Bioluminescence is the production and emission of the light by the living organisms.
- Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence (production of light from a chemical reaction).
- Bioluminescence occurs in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, some fungi, some bacteria and in some terrestrial arthropods such as fireflies.
- In some animals the produced light is bacteriogenic that means light is produced by bacteria and in some animals the produced light is autogenic that means light is produced by the animal themselves.
- The principle chemical reactions in bioluminescence involve a light-emitting molecule and an enzyme called luciferin and luciferase.
- Because of the diversity of luciferin and luciferase combination, there are very few commonalities in the chemical mechanism.

Use of bioluminescence:
1. For illumination – Some deep sea barbeled dragonfishes emit red light. This red light allows the fishes to see red coloured prey which cannot be normally seen in the absence of red light.
2. For attraction – Members of Some species use light to attract their mates. Example – fireflies.
3. For defense – Some animals may use bioluminescence for defense against their predators. Example – dinoflagellates.
4. For warning – With the use of light emission many species warn other members for any danger or any predator.

Note: In Europe and Britain before the development of safety lamps for use in coal mines, the dry fish skins were used as a source of light. E.N. Harvey was the first to propose to give details about bioluminescence.