Science Bulletin March/April 2014 | Page 19

The Story of Bioluminescence

By Grant Regen

ore than 90 percent of organisms in the deep sea use bioluminescence. The adaptation helps life forms to communicate, attract prey, frighten predators, camouflage themselves, and to allure mates. Bioluminescent organisms also are present on land. Certain fungi, beetles, centipedes, flies, and many larvae also use the adaptation. On smaller scales, countless bacteria and algae continue this wide list of living creatures. Scientists today are trying to use this organic technology for many different ideas such as a natural light source and a irrigation timer. Bioluminescence is everywhere.

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