The Fascinating World of Bioluminescence

Light production by living organisms is one of the most unique adaptations in the natural world and is called bioluminescence. Bioluminescense occurs in different animals such as firefly, fungi and deep sea creatures and it is used in different ways including in the process of finding a mate and in the process of escaping from predators.

source

In the ocean, the living being that has the ability to produce light gives fascinating shows. For instance, the deep-sea anglerfish has a light organ referred to as the esca on a fishing thread which illuminates its environment to lure prey in the pitch darkness. In the water, piranhas are well known for being vicious fish that can strip a person’s flesh to the bone in minutes.

Based on the type of organisms, bioluminescence is performed through the action of the enzyme luciferase and the molecule luciferin. When oxygen is included, then there is formation of light. This light emission is highly efficient in the sense that hardly barely any heat is produced, unlike in artificial lighting.

Research in bioluminescent organisms is now being used in medicine, security and environmental science, particularly in the creation of better imaging tools. Such methods are under development by researchers in the hope of imitating the natural light procreating methods already in existence.

Bioluminescence also proves the concept that there is life in all shapes and forms and in different environments that have potential benefits in terms of technological and scientific work. Still in the modern days it attracts great interest due to its light it provides to the darker parts of our globe.