Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism as the result of a chemical reaction during which chemical energy is converted to light energy.

Bioluminescence may be generated by symbiotic organisms carried within a larger organism.

It is generated by an enzyme-catalyzed chemoluminescence reaction, wherein the pigment luciferin is oxidised by the enzyme luciferase.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is involved in most instances.

The chemical reaction can occur either within or outside of the cell.

In bacteria, the expression of genes related to bioluminescence is controlled by an operon called the Lux operon. Ninety percent of deep-sea marine life is estimated to produce bioluminescence in one form or another.

Most marine light-emission belongs in the blue and green light spectrum, the wavelengths that can transmit through the seawater most easily.

However, certain loose jawed fish emit red and infrared light.

For more information about the topic Bioluminescence, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Jack o'lantern mushroom — The jack o'lantern mushroom is an orange to red gill mushroom that is similar in appearance to the chanterelle, and most notable for its ...  > read more

Firefly — Fireflies, also known as lightningbugs, are nocturnal, luminous beetles. These names come from the fact that some species as adults emit flashes of ...  > read more

Photosynthesis — Photosynthesis, generally, is the synthesis of sugar from light, carbon dioxide and water, with oxygen as a waste product. It is arguably the most ...  > read more

Deep sea fish — Deep sea fish is a term for fish that live below the photic zone of the ocean. Examples include the lanternfish, flashlight fish, cookie-cutter ...  > read more

Recommend this page on Facebook, Twitter,
and Google +1:

Other bookmarking and sharing tools:

Related Stories

New Light Shed On Marine Luminescence (March 7, 2009) — The mystery of how some marine animals produce light has come one step closer to being solved. Researchers have discovered that krill, the luminous crustacean, can use special and previously unknown ...  > read more

Decoding Mysterious Green Glow Of The Sea (April 5, 2009) — Researchers have uncovered key clues about the bioluminescent worms that produce the green glow and the biological mechanisms behind their light ...  > read more

Smalleye Pigmy Sharks' Bellies Shine: They Glow for Camouflage (April 26, 2012) — Smalleye pigmy sharks have an eye-catching party trick: Their bellies glow. However, instead of being a giveaway, biologists have shown that the fish's shiny undersides probably provide camouflage. ...  > read more

Firefly Glow: Scientists Develop a Hydrogen Peroxide Probe Based on Firefly Luciferin (February 12, 2011) — Scientists have developed a probe for monitoring hydrogen peroxide levels in mice that enables them to track the progression of cancerous tumors or infectious diseases without harming the animals or ...  > read more

Bioluminescence: Explanation for Glowing Seas Suggested (October 20, 2011) — It has long been known that distinctive blue flashes -- a type of bioluminescence -- that are visible at night in some marine environments are caused by tiny, unicellular plankton known as ...  > read more

Search ScienceDaily

Uncovering the Mysteries of the Seas