How Bioluminescence works

How does the Bioluminescence work?

These extraordinary organisms are like stars of the sea as it goes dark their glowing lights lightens the sea some emits blue light, whereas some emit colourful mix of light etc. So, you must be thinking what creates such beautiful visuals, this is not some kind of witchcraft or magic spell but a superpower which is the result of some Biological advancement in their bodies.

Let’s understand How does this works?

Chemical process

So, these biologically advanced animals must have some kind of science or chemicals involved that help them to produce their own light, this is the chemical response that affects bioluminescence which involves two precise chemicals: luciferin and both luciferase or photoprotein. Luciferin compound is responsible for producing light. In a chemical reaction, luciferin is referred to as the substrate.

The bioluminescent coloration (yellow in fireflies, greenish in lanternfish) is a result of the association of luciferin molecules. Few bioluminescent organisms produce (synthesize) luciferin on their own. Dinoflagellates, as an example, are bioluminescent during a bluish-green shade. Bioluminescent dinoflagellates are a kind of plankton, these tiny marine organisms can be responsible for the glowing sea like sparkling stars. There are few bioluminescent organisms do no longer synthesize luciferin. instead, they soak up the bioluminescence through different organisms, either as meals or in a symbiotic dating. For example, species of midshipman fish grab the luciferin from “seed shrimp” they eat. Likewise, many marine animals, consisting of squid, residence bioluminescent microorganisms of their light organs. The bacteria and squid have a symbiotic courting. Luciferase is an enzyme. An enzyme is a chemical like a fuel that interacts with a a substrate to affect a chemical reaction. The interaction of the luciferase with oxidized (oxygen-brought) luciferin creates a byproduct, called oxyluciferin that creates light. On the reaction of luciferinluciferase, light is generated within the bioluminescent dinoflagellate. The luciferase located in dinoflagellates is like chlorophyll present in the plants. These Dinoflagellates ecosystems are uncommon, they form in the warm-water lagoon that has a narrow opening to the open seas which also benefits in preventing the escape of this organism and also, they illuminate the whole lagoon at night. (researched by National Geographic, 2013)

Luciferase Luciferin Bioluminescence

Luciferase + Luciferin = Bioluminescence

Biologists discovered a brandnew bioluminescent dinoflagellate in the Humacao Natural Reserve, Puerto Rico, in 2010.

Most of the bioluminescent reactions contain luciferin and luciferase but some may not have an enzyme (luciferase). Then those reactions contain a chemical called a photoprotein. Photoproteins amalgamate with the luciferins and oxygen, but also need another substitute, like an ion of the element calcium, to produce light.

Photoproteins had been first studied in bioluminescent crystal jellies discovered off the West Coast of North America. The photoprotein in crystal jellies is referred to as “green fluorescent protein”.