How does a photophore work?

Photophores are organs that are used by fish (and invertebrates) to produce light either by chemical reaction or through symbiotic bacteria capable of bioluminescence. Most fish that use photophores live in the deep sea where light from the surface is limited.

How does the bioluminescence works?

Bioluminescence occurs through a chemical reaction that produces light energy within an organism's body. For a reaction to occur, a species must contain luciferin, a molecule that, when it reacts with oxygen, produces light.

What is a photophore cell?

A photophore is a glandular organ that appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fish and cephalopods. The organ can be simple, or as complex as the human eye; equipped with lenses, shutters, color filters and reflectors, however unlike an eye it is optimized to produce light, not absorb it.

What does photophore mean in biology?

photophore, light-emitting organ present in fireflies and certain other bioluminescent animals. Photophores are glandular in origin and produce light by a chemical reaction.

How do deep sea creatures create light?

Many deep-sea creatures are bioluminescent. The light is produced by symbiotic bacteria within light-emitting cells called photophores. It's produced by a chemical reaction when a substance called a luciferin is oxidized. When the light is released, the luciferin becomes inactive until it is replaced by the animal.

The brilliance of bioluminescence - Leslie Kenna

How do deep sea creatures see in the dark?

Fish living in the deep ocean have evolved highly-sensitive eyes that can see a range of colour hues in the near-darkness. “It's a big surprise,” says Zuzana Musilova at the University of Basel in Switzerland. “They have more sensitive eyes and can see way better than humans in lower light.”

How do deep sea creatures live without light?

Obviously, organisms who live at the deep sea vents can't rely on the Sun; instead, many of them rely on the chemicals that come out of the vents—the process they use to create food is called chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis.

In which part of a photophore will you find luciferin and luciferase?

Luciferin-luciferase reactions occur in specialized photogenic cells – photocytes – grouped inside the luminous organ – photophore – in luminous arthropods, molluscs, and chordates [1].

What color do photophores give off?

The red-emitting photophores contain large amounts of red fluorescent material and it is presumed that this acts as a fluor, rather like the green fluorescent protein of some jellyfish.

Is there a dragon fish?

dragonfish, also called sea moth, any of about five species of small marine fishes comprising the family Pegasidae and the order Pegasiformes. Dragonfish are found in warm Indo-Pacific waters. They are small (to about 16 centimetres [6 ¹/₂ inches] long), elongated fish encased in bony rings of armour.

What is the biochemical reaction for bioluminescence?

Most bioluminescent reactions involve luciferin and luciferase. Some reactions, however, do not involve an enzyme (luciferase). These reactions involve a chemical called a photoprotein. Photoproteins combine with luciferins and oxygen, but need another agent, often an ion of the element calcium, to produce light.

Where is luciferin found?

Dinoflagellate luciferin is a chlorophyll derivative (i. e. a tetrapyrrole) and is found in some dinoflagellates, which are often responsible for the phenomenon of nighttime glowing waves (historically this was called phosphorescence, but is a misleading term).

Is bioluminescence harmful to humans?

Bioluminescent algae can have severe effects on human health and should not be touched. Do not swim in waters containing algal blooms, no matter how beautiful they are.

Can humans be bioluminescent?

But what about humans? According to a study conducted in 2009 by Japanese researchers, human bioluminescence in visible light exists - it's just too dim for our weak eyes to pick up on. "The human body literally glimmers," the team from the Tohoku Institute of Technology wrote in their study published in PLOS One.

How long does the bioluminescent waves last?

The churning sea jostles the tiny organisms, which produces a chemical reaction that emits a neon blue glow. Once residents catch sight of the phenomenon, the timing window can be a little uncertain. Scientists say previous events have lasted anywhere from one week to a month or more.

Why is bioluminescent ability beneficial?

Through a very long process of natural selection, the organisms we call bioluminescent have developed the ability to enhance light production through physiological, molecular, anatomical, and behavioral adaptations. All this because the bioluminescence imparts an important ecological advantage to the organism.

What triggers the cuttlefish to display changes?

Cephalopods control camouflage by the direct action of their brain onto specialized skin cells called chromatophores, that act as biological color “pixels” on a soft skin display. Cuttlefish possess up to millions of chromatophores, each of which can be expanded and contracted to produce local changes in skin contrast.

Why does plankton glow?

The group of chemicals involved to make plankton glow are broadly termed luciferins and the light is produced by a series of oxidation reactions set off by a catalyst called luciferase. The bioluminescence in plankton is very high in several forms of Plankton and is a form of cold light or luminescence.

How does bioluminescence work in water?

Bioluminescence can also be used to avoid predators. Phytoplankton turn the water's surface a sparkly blue when the water is disturbed by fish swimming through or a boat motoring by. They do this when under threat. Scientists think the glow attracts larger predators that scare off the original ones.

How do jelly fish light up?

The glow occurs when a substance called luciferin reacts with oxygen. This releases energy, and light is emitted. An enzyme called luciferase facilitates the reaction. Sometimes luciferin and luciferase are bound together with oxygen into a single molecule, or photoprotein.

How does bioluminescence work in fireflies?

Bioluminescent beetles

Fireflies produce light in special organs in their abdomens by combining a chemical called luciferin, enzymes called luciferases, oxygen and the fuel for cellular work, ATP. Entomologists think they control their flashing by regulating how much oxygen goes to their light-producing organs.

Why is the ocean blue?

The ocean is blue because water absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum. Like a filter, this leaves behind colors in the blue part of the light spectrum for us to see. The ocean may also take on green, red, or other hues as light bounces off of floating sediments and particles in the water.

Why are deep sea animals red?

At depth, these animals are not visible. The black animals absorb all colors of light available and the red animals appear black as well since there is no red light to reflect and their bodies absorb all other available wavelengths of light. Thus, in the deep ocean, red and black animals predominate.

What is under the deep sea?

The abyssal plain is the relatively level deep seafloor. It is a cold and dark place that lies between 3,000 and 6,000 meters below the sea surface. It is also home to squat lobsters, red prawns, and various species of sea cucumbers. For these creatures food is scarce most of the time.