I was reading a Q & A book and it says the scientists are "still in the dark" on this one.
2007-07-29 15:36:10 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Must be an old book - the process was pretty well worked out by the 1970s. Luciferase reacts with luciferin to (with a bunch of intermediate steps) excite electrons in certain atoms using released chemical energy. The excited electrons then 'relax', giving off the extra energy in the form of light. Similar methods are used by other bioluminescent organisms such as certain bacteria and glow-worms. If you're interested, ask your bio teacher for more details; you'll get more out of it in college when you go into energy pathways, ATP, and such-like.
2007-07-29 16:57:08 · answer #1 · answered by John R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fireflies produce a substance called luciferin, which is oxidized by an enzyme called luciferase to produce light. The process has some similarity to what goes on in an LED, with the electron population inversion being created chemically rather than by an electron flow.
2007-07-29 16:12:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
They have a high power direct current micro dynamo in their butt, feeding current to a small light emitting diode.
2007-07-29 15:43:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋