BIOLUMINESCENCE

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Context

• Visakhapatnam beaches are glowing due to a phenomenon called bioluminescence.

About Bioluminescence

• Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms.
• It is light produced by a chemical reaction within a living organism. It is a form of chemiluminescence.
• Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence, which is simply the term for a chemical reaction where light is produced. (Bioluminescence is chemiluminescence that takes place inside a living organism.)

Mechanism

• For a reaction to occur, a species must contain luciferin, a molecule that, when it reacts with oxygen, produces light.
• There are different types of luciferin, which vary depending on the animal hosting the reaction.
• Many organisms also produce the catalyst luciferase, which helps to speed up the reaction.
• Animals can closely control when they light up by regulating their chemistry and brain processes depending on their immediate needs, whether a meal or a mate. Some organisms even bundle the luciferin with oxygen in what is called a “photoprotein”—like a pre-packaged bioluminescence bomb—that is ready to light up the moment a certain ion (typically calcium) becomes present. They can even choose the intensity and color of the lights.

Functions

• While the functions of bioluminescence are not known for all animals, typically bioluminescence is used to warn or evade predators), to lure or detect prey, and for communication between members of the same species.

Prevalence

• Bioluminescence is found in many marine organisms: bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish, and sharks to name just a few.
• In fish alone, there are about 1,500 known species that luminesce.
• In some cases, animals take in bacteria or other bioluminescent creatures to gain the ability to light up. For example, the Hawaiian bobtail squid has a special light organ that is colonized by bioluminescent bacteria within hours of its birth.
• Most deep-sea animals produce some bioluminescent light, but the phenomenon isn’t relegated to the deep: one of the most common sightings occurs at the surface of the ocean.
• Most deep-sea animals produce some bioluminescent light, but the phenomenon isn’t relegated to the deep: one of the most common sightings occurs at the surface of the ocean.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What is Bioluminescence? Explain the mechanism of Bioluminescence in detail citing examples.  Throw light on the functions of Bioluminescence in organisms.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/heres-why-visakhapatnam-beaches-are-glowing-a-shimmering-blue/article66732000.ece