What does bioluminescence mean?
Definitions for bioluminescence
ˌbaɪ oʊˌlu məˈnɛs ənsbi·o·lu·mi·nes·cence
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word bioluminescence.
Princeton's WordNet
bioluminescencenoun
luminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly)
Wiktionary
bioluminescencenoun
The emission of light by a living organism (such as a firefly).
Wikipedia
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms. It is a form of chemiluminescence. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms including some bioluminescent bacteria, and terrestrial arthropods such as fireflies. In some animals, the light is bacteriogenic, produced by symbiotic bacteria such as those from the genus Vibrio; in others, it is autogenic, produced by the animals themselves. In a general sense, the principal chemical reaction in bioluminescence involves a light-emitting molecule and an enzyme, generally called luciferin and luciferase, respectively. Because these are generic names, luciferins and luciferases are often distinguished by the species or group, e.g. firefly luciferin. In all characterized cases, the enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of the luciferin. In some species, the luciferase requires other cofactors, such as calcium or magnesium ions, and sometimes also the energy-carrying molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In evolution, luciferins vary little: one in particular, coelenterazine, is found in 11 different animal phyla, though in some of these, the animals obtain it through their diet. Conversely, luciferases vary widely between different species, which is evidence that bioluminescence has arisen over 40 times in evolutionary history. Both Aristotle and Pliny the Elder mentioned that damp wood sometimes gives off a glow. Many centuries later Robert Boyle showed that oxygen was involved in the process, in both wood and glowworms. It was not until the late nineteenth century that bioluminescence was properly investigated. The phenomenon is widely distributed among animal groups, especially in marine environments. On land it occurs in fungi, bacteria and some groups of invertebrates, including insects. The uses of bioluminescence by animals include counterillumination camouflage, mimicry of other animals, for example to lure prey, and signaling to other individuals of the same species, such as to attract mates. In the laboratory, luciferase-based systems are used in genetic engineering and biomedical research. Researchers are also investigating the possibility of using bioluminescent systems for street and decorative lighting, and a bioluminescent plant has been created.
ChatGPT
bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism as a result of a biochemical reaction which occurs within the organism. This phenomenon is found in various animals, bacteria, and fungi and is often used for camouflage, attraction, communication, or predation.
Wikidata
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms and terrestrial invertebrates. Some symbiotic organisms carried within larger organisms produce light.
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of bioluminescence in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of bioluminescence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5
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Translations for bioluminescence
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- bioluminescènciaCatalan, Valencian
- BiolumineszenzGerman
- biolumineskoEsperanto
- bioluminiscenciaSpanish
- bioluminesenssiFinnish
- bioluminescenceFrench
- bithlonrachtIrish
- biolumineszcenciával, biolumineszcenciaHungarian
- bioluminesensiIndonesian
- lífljómunIcelandic
- bioluminescenzaItalian
- 생물발광Korean
- bioluminescentieDutch
- bioluminescencjaPolish
- bioluminescênciaPortuguese
- биолюминесце́нцияRussian
- bioluminiscens, bioluminescensSwedish
- జీవసందీప్తిTelugu
- biyoluminesansTurkish
- 生物发光Chinese
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