Bioluminescence is simply light created by living organisms. Probably the most commonly known example of bioluminescence by North Americans is the firefly. But over 10,000 creatures in the ocean, that's 85% of creatures 1,000 feet and below, are bioluminescent. This paper is to try to explain how and why evolution would develop bioluminescence. And how the organism weather it be plant or animal, benefits from this unique trait. There are at least six different categories of bioluminescent functions: Navigation, Defense, Communication, Camouflage, Reproduction, and to use as a trap.One of the features of biological light (bioluminescence) that makes it unique from other forms of light is that it is cold light. Unlike the light of a candle, or a light bulb, bioluminescent light is produced with very little to no heat radiation. The light is the result of a biochemical reaction in which the oxidation of a compound called "Luciferin" and the enzyme called "Luciferase". The reaction involves a substrate (D-Luciferin), combining with ATP, and oxygen which is controlled by the enzyme(Luciferase). Luciferins and Luciferase are different chemically in different organisms but they all require molecular energy (ATP) for the reaction. Then the energy excites the molecule created by combining luciferace and luciferin The result of this excitement is decay which is turned into a form of photon emission. The light, a byproduct of the chemical reaction is therefore cold light. The reaction can then be slightly altered by the light being absorbed into a florescent pigment inside the photophore (light producing organ) to change the color of the light. Most of the creatures use a blue, green, or bluish green light because that wavelength travels farthest in a deep sea environment. Also the creatures have adapted to that light so they are in effect color blind to other wavelengths like red. The family of fish known as loosejaws have learned to use tha...
