‘Art’ is not just about decoration; it’s a powerful force that is embedded in science. It expresses individual emotions, thoughts and experiences as found in Bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is the production of light in living organism through the operation of Chemistry in its body. That is why some insects, jellyfish, fish, squids and even mushrooms glow.

Chemistry vs Bioluminescence

Chemistry is a branch of science that studies what things are made of and how they change when mixed, heated or cooled. In a fun way, it means when you mix stuff and it bubbles, changes color or heats up, that’s Chemistry at work. It is like learning how ingredients work together in a recipe, but instead of cooking food, we shall be learning how matter works in this world.

What Helps These Creatures Glow?

Just like your classroom table, bioluminescence is made up of different components called Luciferin, Luciferase, oxygen and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). These enables its operation in living organism.

• Luciferin: Just as ‘fuel’ makes cars work, it is a special chemical that helps living organisms make light.
• Luciferase: It is the ignition that helps luciferin do its job.
• Oxygen: This is the air that we breathe. Glowing creatures need a bit of it to make their light. It mixes with Luciferin to produce light. The light is called cold light because it doesn’t make heat.
• ATP (sometimes used): It is the natural battery in glowing animals that supplies the energy to help them glow.

Some Animals and their Unique Glow

The living organisms emit different lights. For instance, fireflies glow yellow or green, whereas some jellyfish glow blue in the ocean. Likewise, some mushrooms in the forest glow green. Let’s take a look at some glowing champions.

Ocean Creatures

•  Anglerfish: lives deep in the ocean and uses a glowing lure on its head to catch fish.
• Jellyfish: Some Jellyfish glow when they are touched or scared.
• Squids: They light up to blend into the water and hide from enemies.

Land Creatures

• Fireflies: Use light to attract mates. Note that each kind of firefly has its own special flash pattern.
• Glowing mushrooms: They can be found in forests and glow at night.

In a nutshell, bioluminescence is used to: talk to other animals, find a friend, lure other animals, hide from enemies and see in the dark.

How Bioluminescence is used by Scientist 

It connects to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in exciting ways.

Science: Studies chemicals animals use to glow and explores why glowing helps animals survive.

Technology: Scientists use glowing proteins in medical tests, while Engineers copy glowing systems for making safe lights or emergency signals.

Mathematics: Finally, the brain tweaker! Scientists count flashes of light to understand how animals behave and measure how bright or long the glow lasts.

Fun Facts Corner

• Do you know 90% of deep-sea animals glow?
• Do you know Scientists use Jellyfish glow genes to help find diseases in human cells?
• Do you know bioluminescence is also found in Dinoflagellates, tiny ocean plankton that make glowing waves?

Whenever you see a flash of light, think about Bioluminescence and the truth it revealed to us that nature doesn’t just survive in the dark, it shines. Let it inspire you to keep exploring the unseen wonders of science, and to never underestimate the light you carry within.

You can also read: ‘What is Distillation? Chemistry Definition; Understand the principles of Distillation’