2007-01-30 07:06:23 · 3 answers · asked by casper_my51 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
They glow to attract other fireflies. It's called Bio-Luminescence. It's a natural form of light. There are other species found in nature that also produce their own light.
2007-01-30 07:16:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very simply, it's like those glow sticks you see, or glow jewelry. The fly mixes A with B and the resultant compound C has excess energy which it gives off as light.
2007-01-30 15:15:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fireflies and other bioluminescent organisms produce a compound called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase. In the presence of ATP (to provide the energy) a reaction occurs which causes luciferin to give off light.
If you google "luciferin bioluminescence" you'll probably find more than you ever wanted to know about it...
2007-01-30 15:14:16 · answer #3 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋