THE PHYSIOLOGY OF

BIOLUMINESCENCE

PRESENTED BY:
RACHEL MUNROE
SHANNON BROWN
REGINALD THROPE
GABRIELLE CHAMBERS
SHADAE SMITH
GRANVILLE GONEZ
 BRITTLESTAR FIREFLY COMB JELLY

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE BIOLUMINESCENT ORGANISMS?

RAILROAD WORM FIREFLY SQUID FIREFOX

Bioluminescence
– WHAT IS IT?
• Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence
and can be defined as a biochemical reaction that
emits light in living organisms.
• Bioluminescence should not be confused with
florescence/biofluorescence.
• Biofluorescence does not involve a chemical
reaction.
• It is the absorption of light and it’s subsequent
refraction at a different wavelength than was
absorbed.
• The comb jellyfish exhibit both biofluorescence
and bioluminescence.
 Evolution of Bioluminescence
•There are 2 main theories that we will explore today:
•Seliger’s Theory and Rees’ Theory.

•Seliger’s Theory:
• This theory focuses on adaptation and mutations.
• He proposes that some organisms mutated for bioluminescence as they moved to deeper and darker
waters.
• This mutation was favoured by natural selection
Evolution of Bioluminescence
•Rees’ Theory:
• This theory focuses on biochemical and genetic evidence.
• Rees suggests that proto-bioluminescence arose independently in larger organisms.
Metabolic oxygenation resulted in chemiluminescence due to favorable interaction
between proto-bioluminescence and the ecosystem.
• After experimentation done on an aerobic saprophytic bacteria species in a changing
environment, it was found that:
• They gained a selective advantage in fatty acid metabolism allowing them to respire
at low levels.
• It was also found that their luminous ability developed from the aldehyde
oxygenation which resulted in an enzyme-flavin excited state which emitted high
fluorescent blue light.
 What are the main take away points?
• Bioluminescence is a trait although rare in
terrestrial animals, is very common in aquatic
animals with 76% being bioluminescent, Langley
(2019).
• Bioluminescence has evolved independently 40
times.
Evolution of • Bioluminescence in fish began around the
Cretaceous Period and has evolved at least 27
Bioluminescence times. (By fish either ingesting bioluminescent
bacteria or producing intrinsic bioluminescence
using their nervous system.
The Physiology • The reaction that is bioluminescence
of although rare is very diverse. It can be
observed in a number of species across 16
Bioluminescence phyla.
• A bioluminescent reaction is an enzyme
based reaction. The enzyme used is
luciferase and the substrate is luciferin.
• Bioluminescence reactions share a
common luciferase-bond peroxy-luciferin
intermediate which when broken down
causes excitation, it is this excitation that
produces a light. 
• The chemical structure and composition of
luciferin and luciferase vary greatly across
organisms.
 • Some organisms synthesize luciferin on
their own.
• Other organisms absorb luciferin by
Generation of ingesting organisms that produce it
naturally.
Bioluminescence • This reaction vary in organisms however
Reactions the general idea is that it is a reaction
between any substrate derivative of
luciferin catalysed by luciferase.
Location of Bioluminescence Reactions

• The location of the bioluminescent reaction will vary in each organism.

• Some have complicated systems where emission is generated by nerve impulses.
• Others have all that is needed to carry out this light reaction contained in a single cell.
The Bioluminescent Reaction
• The reaction is as follows:
• Luciferin (the substrate) undergoes oxygenation.
• Luciferase catalyses the reaction.
• This produces an excited intermediate called oxyluciferin.
• Upon return to ground state, a light is produced and emitted
The Bioluminescent Reaction
This reaction can also occur with the presence of
Photoproteins which act in place of luciferase:
- Luciferin reacts with a chemical called a photoprotein.
- Photoproteins combine with luciferin, oxygen and an
ion of Calcium to produce light.
- Heat produced from this reaction is not harmful to the
organisms.
What are the
Differences in
Bioluminescence across
Aquatic Animals?

•Variations can be seen in:

•The Bioluminescent Structure
Video taken from jbgood “Bioluminescence – Absurd Planet S1E2
•Colour of light emission Raging Waters”, uploaded to YouTube on May 13, 2020
•Substrate
•Requirements for onset of the
reaction
These will be explored in the:

Humboldt Squid Dinoflagellates

Bioluminescence in Aquatic
Animals - The Humboldt Squid
(Doscidicus gigas)
• One of the largest Bioluminescent Animals.
• Structures Used: Photophores that store
luciferin and its derivatives.
• Location of Luminescence: Head, mantle,
tentacles, fins (ventral side)
• Variation of Substrate:
Dehydrocoelenterazine continuously
biosynthesized by the squid
 Bioluminescence
in Aquatic Animals
– Dinoflagellates
•Their bioluminescent structure
is called scintillons
•This reaction id pH dependent
and requires acidification before
oxidation.
•Acidification changes the
structure of luciferase.
•Blue light is emitted.

Picture taken from https://www.glisteningwaters.com/photo-gallery/

 What are the Differences in Bioluminescence
across Terrestrial Animals?
Variations can be seen in:
The Bioluminescent Structure
Colour of light emission
The reaction

These will be explored in the:

Firefly
Railroad Worm
New Zealand Glow Worm
 •Light Producing Structure: Lantern located in
Bioluminescence the abdomen of the firefly.
•Colour of Light emission: Yellow-green
in Terrestrial •Reaction: Oxidative Adenylation of Luciferin

Animals – •These fireflies may divert oxygen from other

cellular functions to facilitate light emission.
Fireflies
•
 •Light is emitted in one of three structures:
• Paired photonic organs on each body
Bioluminescence segment.
• Luminous bands extended between
in Terrestrial each body segment.

Animals – • In P. hirtus, it is emitted at the head and

the body.
Railroad Worms •The reaction in the body:
•- Luciferin is oxidized and the reaction
(Light Emission) catalysed by luciferase. This reaction
contains more energy thus producing the
yellow-green light.
Bioluminescence in Terrestrial Animals –
Railroad Worms (The Reaction)

•The reaction in the body:

• Luciferin is oxidized and the
reaction catalysed by
luciferase. This reaction
contains more energy thus
producing the yellow-green
light.
•The reaction in the head:
•- The reaction mechanism is the
same however less energy is
produced creating a red light
emission.

Video taken from Nat Geo Wild “The Railroad Worm Glows in the Dark,
as a Warning Sign”, uploaded to YouTube on July 5, 2018
Bioluminescence
• Light is emitted from a specialised light organ
in Terrestrial found at the posterior end of the body.
Animals – New • The light emitted is a blue-green light.

Zealand Glow • The reaction is similar to the ones before with

oxidized luciferin and luciferase.
Worms • Light production is controlled by neurosensory
excitation in the ganglion either directly via
(Arachnocampa synapses or by hormones.
luminosa)
 Why do Organisms Use Bioluminescence?

• For reproductive Purposes

• As a defence mechanism
• To communicate within
their species
• As a form of Mimicry
• As camouflage
• Most simply to provide a
light source to aid with
sight.

Video taken from Robert Wardlow “Finding Nemo Angler Fish DVD
Disc 2”, uploaded to YouTube on July 17, 2019
 Applications of Bioluminescence –
Bioluminescent Protein Markers/ Spectral Imaging

This is an alternative to Fluorescent Imaging.

Reasons for this:
- Fluorescence is brighter; maybe too bright.
- Fluorescence is toxic to living cells.
- Coupling Luciferase to antibodies.

Image published by: A. RODA, "Biotechnological applications of

bioluminescence and chemiluminescence," Trends in Biotechnology 22,
no. 6 (2004): 299, doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2004.03.011
 Applications of Bioluminescence – Green
Lighting
1. Bioluminescent microorganisms and altered
bioluminescent plants can reduce light pollution.
2. Bioluminescence and
Indoor/Hydroponic/Vertical Farming
3. Potentially Carbon Neutral/ Carbon Negative

Image by: BBC News, "Kickstarter Crowd Gives Glowing Plant the Green Light," BBC News,
last modified May 7, 2013, https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-22433866.
What does the Future Hold? Will YOU be the
First Bioluminescent Human?
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