I heard a male lightning bug it the only lightning bug that glows,(The female does not glow)
What makes it glow?
2007-12-18 06:05:18 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
the chemical reaction of the compound luciferin when is acted upon by an enzyme, luciferase gives a phosphorescence or a luminescent organ
2007-12-21 18:00:14 · answer #1 · answered by rafeli_1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fireflies that glow have a luminescent organ in which the compound luciferin is acted upon by an enzyme, luciferase. The result is a phosphorescence.
2007-12-21 07:24:51 · answer #2 · answered by Ishan26 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light production in fireflies is due to a chemical reaction that occurs in specialized light-emitting organs, usually on the lower abdomen. The enzyme luciferase acts on luciferin in this organ to stimulate light emission. This reaction is of scientific interest. Genes coding for these substances have been inserted into many different organisms (see Luciferase - Applications). Luciferase is also used in forensics, and the enzyme has medical uses.
Females generally do not fly, but give a flash response to males of their own species.
2007-12-18 14:13:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋