Five Fact Friday: Bioluminescence

1. Bioluminescence is the production and the emission of light by a biological organism and means 'living light'.
2. The bioluminescence is created by a chemical reaction either in the cell of an organism or that of a symbiotic partner living within the organism.
3. While bioluminescence can be found in many organisms around the planet. Around 90% of marine life in our deep oceans are thought to produce bioluminescence.
4. Before the invention of safe lighting down in the mines, dried fish skins were used as they produced a faint phosphorescence. However, there was undoubtedly little light in the mines during those days!
5. Bioluminscence seems to be used for many reasons, including reasons in this non-exhaustive list: communication, locating food, attracting prey, camouflage, mimicry, and self-defense.

Bibliography http://www.welshminerslamps.com/info_lamp_history.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioluminescence#cite_note-14