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BIOLUMINESCENCE!

BIOLUMINESCENCE!. What is bioluminescence?. Light produced by a chemical reaction within a living organism Most bioluminescence in the ocean This is considered “cold” light Only 20% of this light actually generates heat. What does it look like?.

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BIOLUMINESCENCE!

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  1. BIOLUMINESCENCE!

  2. What is bioluminescence? • Light produced by a chemical reaction within a living organism • Most bioluminescence in the ocean • This is considered “cold” light • Only 20% of this light actually generates heat

  3. What does it look like? • Usually the bodies of the animals are translucent (or hidden) except for the bioluminescence Anglerfish has a “lure”

  4. Sometimes it takes up a whole habitat • “Milky Seas” and Bioluminescent Bays • Due to millions of bacteria and algae • Continuously glow or when water is disturbed • Visible from satellites

  5. Who displays bioluminescence? • Fish, jellyfish, and bacteria. • Interesting fact: • Almost no bioluminescence species native to freshwater. • Why do you think this is true? • Freshwater habitats have not been around as long as the ocean. • Freshwater habitats are generally more murky, so bioluminescence may not be as useful.

  6. How is it used? • To attract prey and mates • “Lures” • To deter predators • Ex) Brittle star detaches bioluminescent arm

  7. Deterring predators Sea Cucumber can detach parts of its body onto predators like fish, causing them to now be at risk for predation

  8. How is it used? • “Spew” bioluminescence: startles, delays, or distracts predators • Shrimp, copepods

  9. How is it used? • Counterillumination: • Makes the underside of the body lighter than the rest of the body • When a predator looks at the animal from below, it matches the light and blends in.

  10. Counterillumination: Hatchetfish

  11. Other strange and (not so strange) examples

  12. So how does it work at the molecular level? • Enzymes and substrates. • Luciferin: a chemical that is the substrate in the reaction. • Luciferase: the enzyme that attaches to substrate and catalyzes the reaction

  13. Some organisms produce luciferin and luciferase themselves • Examples: dinoflagellates (single-celled protists)

  14. Symbiotic relationships • Other animals “house” symbiotic bacteria • Hawaiian bobtail squid: takes in symbiotic bacteria to specialized light organs hours after birth

  15. Sometimes, bioluminescence uses GFP • Not always a combination of enyzme + substrate (luciferin + luciferase) • Sometimes, bioluminescence produced by GFP, a photoprotein and luciferin. Crystal jelly uses GFP

  16. Bioluminescence in the lab.. • Genetically engineered mice with bioluminescence • GFP is a protein responsible for bioluminescence • It is a Reporter gene: attach it to another gene in the laboratory

  17. Bioluminescence • What color is it? • Most appears blue-green (it is expressed in the blue-green part of the light spectrum) • Some appears yellow or red. • Why different colors? • Different forms of the enzyme luciferase

  18. So what about bioluminescencein your world? • Bioluminescent Trees! • An idea for energy conservation. • Genetically engineered with GFP • Also..bioluminescent crops that would light up when they need water

  19. Watch! • http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/bioluminscent-trees-could-light-our-streets

  20. TED Talks: Edith Widder • https://www.ted.com/talks/edith_widder_the_weird_and_wonderful_world_of_bioluminescence?language=en • Research in Johnson SeaLink and other submersibles • Research involving submersibles has been featured in BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel and National Geographic television productions

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