Bioluminescence: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Bioluminescence is the production of light by a living organism, typically by means of efficient chemical reactions involving a pigment, an enzyme, and ATP.

Bioluminescence is used for luring prey (as in anglerfish), scaring off predators (as in railroad worms), attracting mates (as in fireflies), and even camouflage (e.g. photophores in benthic and pelagic squids).

Various mechanisms can be used to produce bioluminescent light. A well-known one is the enzyme luciferase, which is frequently used in genetic engineering as a tracer.

In many higher animal species, bioluminescence is achieved through a symbiotic relationship with luminescent bacteria species. The symbiotic relationship between the luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri and the bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes is a model system for symbiosis in laboratory biology. Other animals, however, such as many squid of the order Teuthida, produce luminescence from their own cells.

Compare to: biofluorescence, Biophoton