(noun. /bio-loomin-ESS-ents/)
By Mikayla Feldbauer
What does it mean?
Bioluminescence describes the ability of a living organism to make and give off its own light. There are many different types of organisms capable of bioluminescence. Some organisms capable of this incredible phenomenon are jellyfish, fireflies, and several species of fish, bacteria, and fungi.
There are also many different reasons why an organism might have this capability. Some organisms like microscopic dinoflagellates (also known as algae) use their bioluminescence to defend themselves when a predator is near. Their glow attracts larger predators to come and eat the predators that were after them. Other uses include scaring off predators, attracting mates, and luring prey.
How do I use it in a sentence?
“When I went to Puerto Rico, I went kayaking in a bay where a species of bioluminescent algae lives. They made the water around our paddles glow and it was so pretty!”
(Note: bioluminescent is the adjective form of bioluminescence)
Related terms
Fluorescence – bioluminescence is the result of a chemical reaction involving the molecule luciferin, while fluorescence occurs when light is absorbed and released
Chemiluminescence
Quorum sensing
Etymology
Bios – Greek for “life”
Lumen – Latin for “light”
