Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
Bioluminescence: How Living Creatures Create Light
- Bioluminescence is the ability of living organisms to produce their own light.
- It happens through a chemical reaction between luciferin (a pigment) and luciferase (an enzyme).
- Fireflies flash light to attract mates, one of the most familiar examples.
- Deep-sea creatures use glowing lures to hunt or scare away predators.
- Some squid and fish glow to camouflage themselves against faint ocean light above.
- The light produced is “cold light,” releasing little to no heat.
- Bioluminescence appears in bacteria, fungi, insects, and many marine animals.
- Certain glowing plankton make ocean waves sparkle when disturbed at night.
- Scientists study bioluminescence to develop medical imaging and bio-sensors.
- Nature’s living lights show how evolution uses chemistry for survival and communication.