Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence
Author :
Publisher : Harvard University Press
Total Pages : 196
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780674071919
ISBN-13 : 0674071913
Rating : 4/5 (19 Downloads)

Book Synopsis Bioluminescence by : Thérèse Wilson

Download or read book Bioluminescence written by Thérèse Wilson and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2013-03-04 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bioluminescence is everywhere on earth—most of all in the ocean, from angler fish in the depths to the flashing of dinoflagellates at the surface. Here, Thérèse Wilson and Woody Hastings explore the natural history, evolution, and biochemistry of the diverse array of organisms that emit light. While some bacteria, mushrooms, and invertebrates, as well as fish, are bioluminescent, other vertebrates and plants are not. The sporadic distribution and paucity of luminous forms calls for explanation, as does the fact that unrelated groups evolved completely different biochemical pathways to luminescence. The authors explore the hypothesis that many different luciferase systems arose in the early evolution of life because of their ability to remove oxygen, which was toxic to life when it first appeared on earth. As oxygen became abundant and bioluminescence was no longer adequate for oxygen removal, other antioxidant mechanisms evolved and most luminous species became extinct. Those light-emitting species that avoided extinction evolved uses with survival value for the light itself. Today’s luminous organisms use bioluminescence for defense from predators, for their own predatory purposes, or for communication in sexual courtship. Bioluminescence was earlier viewed as a fascinating feature of the living world, but one whose study seemed unlikely to contribute in any practical way. Today, bioluminescence is no longer an esoteric area of research. Applications are numerous, ranging from the rapid detection of microbial contamination in beef and water, to finding the location of cancer cells, to working out circuitry in the brain.


Bioluminescence Related Books

Bioluminescence
Language: en
Pages: 196
Authors: Thérèse Wilson
Categories: Science
Type: BOOK - Published: 2013-03-04 - Publisher: Harvard University Press

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Bioluminescence is everywhere on earth—most of all in the ocean, from angler fish in the depths to the flashing of dinoflagellates at the surface. Here, Thér
Living Lights
Language: en
Pages: 189
Authors: Avani Patel
Categories: Fiction
Type: BOOK - Published: 2022-03-25 - Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

‘Leonard Cohen said that, when you read poetry, you look for someone to illuminate a landscape that you thought you alone walked on. Avani illuminates this in
Living Lights
Language: en
Pages: 25
Authors: Nancy Loewen
Categories: Juvenile Nonfiction
Type: BOOK - Published: 2004 - Publisher: Capstone

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Did you know that there are more than 2,000 kinds of fireflies in the world? Find out what makes them flash and how they go from eggs to adults in this Backyard
Living Lights, Shining Stars
Language: en
Pages: 248
Authors: Norvel Young
Categories: Religion
Type: BOOK - Published: 2010-05-11 - Publisher: Simon and Schuster

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Open this book and become shining stars in areas such as family, finances, education, and much more. Jesus said Christians are the "lights of the world"; Paul s
Energy Inquiry Card--Living Lights
Language: en
Pages: 4
Authors:
Categories: Science
Type: BOOK - Published: 2014-01-01 - Publisher: Teacher Created Materials

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Elaborate on the concept of energy using this science inquiry card and lesson. Using vibrant, engaging images for science exploration allows all students to mak