BIOLUMINESCENCE - SCI & TECH
News: Aurora
of the sea in Vizag
What's in the news?
● A
stretch of the beach at Bheemili near Visakhapatnam glows due to a natural
phenomenon called bioluminescence.
Key takeaways:
● While
bioluminescence on the beach is a natural
phenomenon, it is being reported on large stretches of this beach for the
first time.
Bioluminescence:
● Bioluminescence
is described as the natural phenomenon wherein certain living organisms light up because of certain chemical reactions. As
a result, the chemical energy readily changes into light energy.
Organisms reflecting bioluminescence:
● Luminescence
is generally higher in deep-living and
planktonic organisms than in shallow species.
● Animals, plants, fungi
and bacteria show bioluminescence. It
is found in many marine organisms such as bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms,
crustaceans, sea stars, fish and sharks.
● A
remarkable diversity of marine animals and microbes are able to produce their
own light.
● It
occurs due to the presence of
single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates that produce light when they
are disturbed.
● Scintillans is a
bioluminescent species that brightens seawater during the night.
Significance:
● To
attract or find prey.
● For
defence.
● To
attract mates.
● As
a means of communication.
● As
a response to change in the environment.