Bioluminescence Bioluminescence Defined as the emission of light
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence Defined as the emission of light (either voluntarily or involuntarily) from a living organism. Bioluminescent bacteria on petri dishes A bioluminescent squid
Bioluminescence • Bioluminescence is very rare in land organisms. • 90% of organisms in the twilight zone, – Occurs in single celled organisms up to squid • Used to attract mates, lure prey or avoid predators. • Much is still unknown.
Protection • When dinoflagellates sense a predator through motion in the water, they glow. • This attracts even larger predators that will consume dinoflagellate predator.
Pyrodinium bahamenese is only 1/500 of an inch and is a bioluminescent dinoflagellate
Bay of Fire in Puerto Rico the glow
Bay of Fire • Bioluminescence caused by a harmless dinoflagellate. • Each burst of light lasts about 1/10 of a second
Milky Seas • Have been recorded by Mariners for centuries • May be extremely high concentrations of bioluminescent bacteria • Not well understood or documented
Counterillumination • Seen from below, an animal might stand out. • Glowing can help it blend in. • Squid Chromophores and photophores
Attracting Mates • Important for fireflies but not well documented in the oceans. • Ostracods use pheremones for long distances and bioluminescence used at close range.
Attracting Mates? Ostracod Noctiluca
Luring Prey • Anglerfish uses a dangling appendage to attract prey.
Chemistry • enzyme-catalyzed chemoluminescence reaction, • pigment luciferin is oxidised by the enzyme luciferase. • Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is required • The chemical reaction can occur either within or outside of the cell.
Light Emitted • Marine light-emission is in the blue and green light spectrum, • These wavelengths that can transmit through the seawater most easily.
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