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BIOLUMINESCENCE

Bioluminescence in Animals . Introduction to Bioluminescence: Bioluminescence is when any living creature creates and lets off its own light. It comes from two different Greek words; bio meaning living" and lumen meaning light". Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescence is

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BIOLUMINESCENCE

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    1. BIOLUMINESCENCE Extra Credit Project Caitlin Rockhill May, 2011 1st Hour

    2. Bioluminescence in Animals Introduction to Bioluminescence: Bioluminescence is when any living creature creates and lets off its own light. It comes from two different Greek words; bio meaning “living” and lumen meaning “light”. Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescence is when chemicals react to the environment and creates light. In order to have bioluminescence, animals need to create different chemicals. Animals and plants alike have used this brilliant tactic for centuries.

    4. Fireflies The light in fireflies is produced with the chemicals luciferase, and luciferin. While fireflies are most famous for glowing in their adult stage, they also glow in their larval stage as well. They glow as a warning to predators, because some larvae are known to be toxic or distasteful. In the adult form, however, fireflies glow to find mates for courtship.

    6. Krill In krill, the light is produced in an organ called photophores. They use luciferase, and luciferin to produce their light. Although the krill use these chemicals it is unlikely that they actually produce it. Scientists believe they merely ingest the chemicals in their everyday diet. Some believe that the krill use bioluminescence to escape from predators. They can slip away, as the predators see the light that is cast about in the water.

    7. Vampire Squid Vampire squid use bioluminescence in order to get away from predators. The predators have adapted their eyesight so that they can see the shadows of the prey when it comes above them. The squid uses bioluminescence to confuse the predators, and get safely away.

    8. Crystal Jelly When the crystal jelly’s produce light, they do it differently than most bioluminescent species. They release calcium which reacts with the photoprotein, aequorin. They seem to glow for no other reason than the fact that they can.

    10. Ctenophores Although many think the Ctenophores glow because of bioluminescence, they do not. Their glow is cause by the scattering of light as they move.

    11. Angler fish The angler fish does not actually produce its own light. It forms a symbiosis with bacteria. The bacterium enters the esca, which is a type of lure for prey, and the light then emits from it. The Angler fish allow the bacterium to find safety in the esca, and in return they have an easy way to get prey. The Angler fish allow bioluminescence for predation.

    12. Resources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioluminescence http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/46/bioluminescence.html http://www.dtmag.com/Stories/Ocean%20Science/01-98-ecoseas.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krill http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglerfish http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=n3f4wmcSJaM9CYLeaRMdtA

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