Bioluminescence
생물발광
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="bioluminescence"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
The production and emission of light by living organisms through internal chemical reactions.
Detailed Explanation
Bioluminescence is produced by the enzyme luciferase oxidizing luciferin, and has evolved independently over 40 times across life. In the deep ocean, 90% of organisms are estimated to produce light — for communication, predator attraction, prey luring, and counterillumination camouflage. Firefly light pulses encode species-specific mating codes. Bioluminescence has been harnessed in medical research as a reporter gene system to visualize gene expression.