Tennessee, USA, nature, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer the most dramatic display of synchronous fireflies (Photo credit: Radim Schreiber (Event Photo) The solemn dancing of the fireflies at night, truly a sight to behold. Its an enchanting scene that rarely anyone will get to experience personally and if your privileged enough to, its a life changing experience. So what exactly is this beautiful glow from the fireflies anyways?
The process that allows the fireflies to glow is known as bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is the process by which organisms are able to emit light. It is generally caused by the oxidation of a light-emitting pigment, luciferin, catalysed by the enzyme luciferin. This all happens in the abdomen of the firefly where a photic (light producing organ) is present. The reaction can be simplified into the following word equation; Luciferin + Oxygen + ATP -> Oxyluciferin + Carbon dioxide (Luciferase + Magnesium) It's a rather complex reaction and it has been simplified already. But to make things even more easier to understand, the reaction generally means that Luciferin, the substrate, in the presence of the Luciferase, the enzyme, is oxidised by oxygen, to produce the light-emitting substance, oxyluciferin. So we know the basic biochemistry of firefly bioluminescence so whats the use of bioluminescence in the firefly system? Well it has many uses in the various species of fireflies but the most general use of bioluminescence across most species is that it is use to signal to other fireflies during mating season. This is why bioluminescence is an extremely key part of the fireflies' life cycle. Without it, the fireflies would be unable to breed. The fireflies use the bioluminescence in various ways in courtship and the method used varys from species to species.The signal gives the essential information necessary for selecting their mates. Well now knowing how amazing fireflies are, you might be considering wanting to see them for yourself. Unfortunately, fireflies are now an extremely rare sight and are on the brink of extinction. This is all due to light pollution. As we have discussed, the light emitted is essential in the fireflies' reproductive cycle. Light pollution has left many fireflies unable to find mates due to being lost in city lights or other lightings in human populated areas. Scientists aren't really sure how this is affects the mating of fireflies, but edvidences show that firefly populations are dwindling without a doubt. Fireflies have been observed to be affected most by extremely bright lights during dusk. Fireflies typically dislike showing up in bright areas, such as under a full moon. Artificial light, needless to say, can disrupts the fireflies ability to signal to one other, disrupting mating. As human industrialisation and modernisation continues, more and more areas are brightly lit, accounting for the dwindling firefly populations. The firefly is a wondrous creature that inspires many artists and people with their sheer beauty. If we do not do our best to aid in the conversation of these beautiful insects, they will be gone before we know it.
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Bioluminescent plankton, the Maldives (Photo credits: Doug Perrine/naturepl.com) Beautiful glows of various colours emitted by various species of animals all around the globe, from the serene dancing of the fireflies to the mysterious glows of the jellyfish, bioluminescence is one of the most incredible phenomenon in nature.
Bioluminescence is the process by which organisms are able to emit light. It is generally caused by the oxidation of a light-emitting pigment, luciferin, catalysed by the enzyme, luciferase. Many animals are capable of bioluminescence. In fact, its more common that you think, from species of squids, insects, and fish to even fungus. With so many organisms capable of bioluminescence, its makes us ponder, what is bioluminescence for? Well, bioluminescence is necessary in mating, mimicry, camouflage and perhaps other reasons we don't know yet. One of the more notable reasons for bioluminescence is for signaling of mates in fireflies. With the many uses of bioluminescence in nature, it makes us wonder how can bioluminescence help us as humans in our life. Bioluminescence is used in genetic engineering and biomedical research. Most notably, bioluminescence is used in cancer research to allow us to see and understand the spread of cancer in lab rats. |
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