BIOLUMINESCENCE :-

Emission of light from a living organism that performs some biological function –
Bioluminescence. Light production as a result of chemical reactions
–‘chemiluminescence’.Bio – ‘living’ in (Greek), `lumen – ‘light’ ( Latin). Blue or green in
color .Often referred to as “cold light” – does not produce any heat and in the form of a
visible spectrum. Chemical energy is converted into light energy – Biological reaction .
Excitement, fear, or stress – Phenomenon. Attract prey,deter predators, or communicate
with others of the same species. Bioluminescence organisms- bacteria, fungi, jellyfish, and
fireflies, mushrooms, lichen, and even some flowers.

ORGANISMS INVOLVED IN BIOLUMINESCENSE

Luminescent fungi such as Armillaria mellea and Mycena spp. Produce a continuous (non-
pulsing) light in their fruiting bodies and mycelium. Light to attract insects – spread the
fungal spores – enhancing their reproduction. Nematodes of the genus Neoaplectana,
Steinernema and Heterorhabditis have a symbiotic association with luminescent bacteria
like Xenorhabdus luminescens and thus exhibit luminescence. The Examples of true or self-
luminescence are found in Collembola, Diptera, Coleoptera and Homoptera. The order
Coleoptera contains highly developed photogenic organs. Families include Lampyridae,
Elateridae and Phengodidae. Lampyridae – fireflies or lightning bugs. Immature forms -
glowworms, adults – fireflies. Individuals of Elateridae are called wireworms or click beetles.
Brightest insect – Pyrophorus noctilucus - brightness of 45 millilamberts, it is also known as
the Jamaican click beetle and the ‘cucujo’ beetle. Immature forms of Phengodidae are called
railroad worms.

ORGANS OF LIGHT PRODUCTION IN INSECTS

Found in both sexes, or may be restricted to females and immature forms. Found behind a
window of translucent cuticle. They may be found scattered anywhere from the head to the
tip of abdomen, including the thorax. In adult insects, these organs are mostly on the
ventral side of the thorax or abdomen. In Photuris (Lampyridae), males – two pairs of the
light organ, females – only one pair. Larvae and adult females of railroad worm
(Phengodidae) have 11 pairs of light organs on the lateral sides of the thorax and abdomen
and another pair on the head . In Fulgora (Homoptera) the light organ is situated only on the
head. The light organs generally originate from fat bodies,except in Arachnocampa. In
Arachnocampa (Diptera) , from the enlarged distal ends of malpighian tubules. Photogenic
organs that produce light – consist of a large number of specialized cells called photocytes.
They arranged cylindrically at right angles to the translucent cuticle, which permits light to
pass through it. Behind the photocytes there is a reflecting surface chiefly consisting of urate
granules. The photocytes receive oxygen through air tubes or tracheoles. They also contain a
heavy aggregation of mitochondria that supplies adenosine triphosphate (ATP) required for
the chemical reaction.

BIOCHEMISTRY OF LIGHT PRODUCTION

Substances – luciferin, luciferase and molecular oxygen. Bioluminescence is due to the substrate
enzyme complex of luciferin-luciferase within the cellular cytoplasm. Luciferin – secreted by
photocytes, is a low molecular weight compound that may be an aldehyde, a polypeptide complex or
a protein. Light is produced by the oxidation of luciferin in the presence of the enzyme luciferase.
Luciferin + O2 (Oxidation) →Light

PROCESS

ATP first activates luciferin in the presence of magnesium (Mg2+) and luciferase to produce
adenylluciferin, which is then oxidized to form excited oxyluciferin. During the oxidation of luciferin
large amounts of energy(40-80 Kcal per mole) is available in a single step. The product of the reaction
remains in a highly excited state. This product emits light when the excited state returns to the
ground state, without production of heat. A synaptic fluid(chemical intermediaries between nerve
and the light organ) near nerve endings, triggers the light production.

VARIATION IN COLOUR OF LIGHT

Photinus and Lampyris (Coleoptera) – yellow-green . Larval and adult female railroad worms, the
light organs on the thorax and abdomen – green to orange light, head – red light . Arachnocampa –
blue-green . Fulgora is white. Colour variation may be due to environmental factors or differences in
the structure of luciferase

SIGNIFICANCE OF BIOLUMINESCENCE IN INSECTS

 Mating signal:

Some species of Lampyridae, the females are wingless and sedentary; light production is therefore
important for them to attract the winged males. Flash patterns vary between species and between
sexes. Some species wait 5.5 seconds then emit a single short flash. Other species may wait one
second and then hold the flash for a full second. Some tropical species congregate in large numbers
and flash in unison. Male and female fireflies of Photuris pyralis emerge at dusk, emitting a
single short flash at regular intervals. The flashes are usually from male fireflies seeking
mates. Males outnumber the females fifty to one. Females climb a blade of grass, flashing
when males flash within 10-12 feet of the females. Exchange of signals is repeated 5 to 10
times until they start mating.
 Predation:
Found in the New Zealand glowworm fly, Arachnocampa luminosa . The female fly deposits
eggs on the ceiling of dark caves. Upon hatching, the larvae hang down by a sticky thread
and produce light. During night, the entire cave may glow with this light, attracting other
insect species. These attracted insects get entangled in the sticky threads and are preyed
upon by the larvae. The caves inhabited by flies are popularly known as ‘luminous caves’ and
are tourist attraction spots in New Zealand.
 Defence:
In railroad worms the continuous glow of the head region when the larvae are walking,
suggests a possible illumination function, whereas the lateral light organs are switched on
suggest a defense function. Sudden flashes can repel potential predators. The railroad worm
larvae live at high densities, confined to small areas, and may use simultaneous emission to
frighten potential enemies, or they may also use the light to intimate the mated females
about to lay eggs about over crowding and competition for food sources.
APPLICATIONS OF BIOLUMINESCENCE
 Space Research:

Soil from the alien surface, mix it with water, oxygen, luciferin and luciferase. ATP, the fifth
requirement for light production, presence of A TP would suggest, in turn the existence of
some kind of life in that alien soil that is similar to lifeforms on Earth.
 Medical research:
Injection of luciferin and luciferase exhibit different reactions in a normal and cancerous cell,
and can aid in detecting energy problems in human cells. This technique is now used to
study heart ailments, muscular dystrophy, urological problems, etc.
 Pest management:
Mapping organism distribution patterns. The modified genetic material of the pink
bollworm, an insect pest of cotton, with green fluorescent protein (GFP) derived from the
jelly fish, Aequora victoria.
 Fluorescent marker gene:
Fluorescent marker genes make the transformed cells glow under light. Genetic markers
enable scientists to choose only the cells that have taken up the target genes and discard
others.
 It is used as a tool for measuring environmental pollutants.
 Bioluminescent bacteria are sometimes used to detect leaks in pipelines or other
underwater infrastructure.
 Some species of fireflies are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
 In some countries bioluminescent organisms are also used as a food additive.

REFERENCES
[1] R F Chapman, The Insects: structure and function, Cambridge University Press, 1998.
[2] J E Lloyd, Bioluminescent communication in insects, Annual Review of Entomology, Vol.
16, pp. 97-122, 1971.