Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence, pronounced by oh loo muh NEHS uhns, is the ability of certain living things to give off light. It is the result of chemical processes that go on in the tissues of animals or plants. A special enzyme converts chemical energy stored in the cells into light. This process does not produce any significant heat. Most luminescent animals are found in the ocean. For example, many squids are luminescent. Fireflies are a familiar land example. Certain bacteria and fungi also are luminescent. Bioluminescence is studied by scientists attempting to discover a means of producing light chemically without heat. See also Firefly; Lanternfish.

Contributor: George B. Johnson, Ph.D., Prof. of Biology, Washington Univ.

Bioluminescence

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