Bioluminescense

Bioluminescence is defined as the light produced by a chemical reaction which originates in an organism. This feature can occur at any depth or any sea, but it is essentially absent from fresh water environments. Bioluminescence is the predominant source of light in the deep sea. The majority of organisms that inhabit the upper 6500 feet of the ocean waters are capable of producing some kind of light. The most common occurrence for the human eye is when sailor is in the bow wave or wake of a surface ship. This bioluminescence is due to the dinoflagellates, single-celled algae. This happens due to the algae being mechanically excited to produce light by the ships passage and movement of other fish. The chemistry behind the interesting feature is that the firefly enzyme luciferase catalyzes the formation of a luciferin (light emitting biological pigments) and an ATP complex known as luciferyl adenylate. This complex is oxidized by oxygen, leading to the production of a cyclic peroxide that eventually becomes high-energy oxyluciferin (which is originally in an excited state). Once the oxyluciferin releases energy, light is emitted. The lantern nerves of the organism triggers the release of octopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes the firefly lantern to initiate the luciferin reaction. This ultimately produces light. There are many theories to prove this including: the NOS Model, the Osmotic Control Model, and the Hydrogen Peroxide Model. It is important to note that Bioluminescence is effective only if other organisms can see it. Bioluminescent organisms primarily use their special features in order to find and attract prey, defend against predators, and communicate to other organisms. For instance, bioluminescence is used to startle, misdirect, alarm, stun or confuse, lure, or simply just to attract mates. Many of the organism in the deep ocean can produce anywhere from 440 nm and 479 nm of light. There are a few organisms that produce light continuously, but most emit light of durations from about 0.1 second to a long10 seconds. Examples of bioluminescent marine life: Coral, comb jellies, some clams, sea pens, anglerfish, cookie-cutter shark, gulper eel, vampire squid, colossal squid just to name a few.

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXl8F-eIoiM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QUt-Rrs6Co

-Chase Davis & Jake Turrin