How it Lights Up
Fireflies light up by a process known as bioluminescence. The fireflies have specialized cells in their abdomen that contain a chemical called luciferin. The cells also produce luciferase enzymes that catalyze the reaction of luciferin, oxygen, and ATP to produce oxyluciferin and light. The oxygen is supplied through the abdominal trachea. The firefly can control the delivery of oxygen, thus starting and stopping the reaction, which in turn, turns the light on and off. The color of light given off ranges from a light yellow to reddish green. Uric acid crystals are located in the light producing cells as well and function to reflect light away from the abdomen. The light produced is known as cold light. This means that all of the energy produced from the reaction goes into making light. No energy is lost to heat. If heat were produced in the reaction, it would kill the firefly.
Fireflies light up by a process known as bioluminescence. The fireflies have specialized cells in their abdomen that contain a chemical called luciferin. The cells also produce luciferase enzymes that catalyze the reaction of luciferin, oxygen, and ATP to produce oxyluciferin and light. The oxygen is supplied through the abdominal trachea. The firefly can control the delivery of oxygen, thus starting and stopping the reaction, which in turn, turns the light on and off. The color of light given off ranges from a light yellow to reddish green. Uric acid crystals are located in the light producing cells as well and function to reflect light away from the abdomen. The light produced is known as cold light. This means that all of the energy produced from the reaction goes into making light. No energy is lost to heat. If heat were produced in the reaction, it would kill the firefly.
Why it Lights Up
- The firefly larvae produce light that functions as a defense mechanism. The larvae contain steroids that are distasteful to predators. The light is a warning sign to deter predators from eating them.
- The firefly adult produces light for 2 main reasons: communication and mating.
- Communication: The various species of fireflies have their own unique flash patterns to help them identify and differentiate fireflies of their own species. They also use light to defend their territory and warn predators.
- Mating: Fireflies also use their flash to attract the opposite sex. Females choose their mate based on flash pattern and intensity. A more attractive mate has a more intense flash. Typically, the male will flash the patterned light while flying and the female will rest in the trees and respond with a flash of her own.
- In some species, both sexes flash. In others, only the male flashes. Last, some species do not flash at all. Instead of using light to attract mates, these fireflies strictly use pheromones.
Cold Light
Fireflies are very efficient at producing light. All of the energy created goes into emitting light and none of it is lost to heat. Since it does not produce heat, it is called "cold light."
In comparison to a light bulb, 90% of the energy is emitted as light and 10% is lost to heat.
Fireflies are very efficient at producing light. All of the energy created goes into emitting light and none of it is lost to heat. Since it does not produce heat, it is called "cold light."
In comparison to a light bulb, 90% of the energy is emitted as light and 10% is lost to heat.
Fiber Optics
Fiber optic communication works by transmitting pulses of light through an optical fiber. This is analogous to the methods that fireflies use to communicate. Fiber optics have revolutionized the transmittance of information across long distances because the transfer of information is instantaneous. Fiber optics are used in telephone, internet, and cable TV signals. For communication purposes, the flashes of light in fiber optics is similar to the flashes of light from fireflies.
Fiber optic communication works by transmitting pulses of light through an optical fiber. This is analogous to the methods that fireflies use to communicate. Fiber optics have revolutionized the transmittance of information across long distances because the transfer of information is instantaneous. Fiber optics are used in telephone, internet, and cable TV signals. For communication purposes, the flashes of light in fiber optics is similar to the flashes of light from fireflies.