bioluminescence
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A bioluminescent comb jelly of the phylum Ctenophora. Image: NOAA
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The production of nonthermal light by a chemical reaction within an organism. The process occurs in many bacteria and protists, as well as some marine animals, fireflies, and fungi. The effect is an example of chemiluminescence. In some cases its utility to the organism is not apparent, though in others its use is clear. Thus, in the firefly, the abdomen of the female glows, enabling the male to find her. Similarly, luminescence enables many deep-sea fish to locate each other or to attract their prey. The glow in a ship's wake at night is due to luminescent microorganisms.
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• BIOCHEMISTRY
• ZOOLOGY
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