LIFE:SCIENCE OF BIOL.(LL) >CUSTOM<
LIFE:SCIENCE OF BIOL.(LL) >CUSTOM<
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781319209957
Author: Sadava
Publisher: MAC HIGHER
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 8, Problem 1Q
Summary Introduction

To review:

The types and functions of molecules necessary for the production of light in the firefly lanterns.

Introduction:

The Lampyridae refers to the family of insects present in the beetle order Coleoptera. These are basically winged beetles, which are commonly known as fireflies or lightning bugs. The fireflies emit energy in the form of light and this phenomenon is known as bioluminescence. The light is emitted from an organ known as firefly lantern, which is located in their abdomen.

The fireflies (Photuris pennsylvanica) are known to emit light during hot summer nights, which the people enjoy watching. This is a form of mating signal, through which the fireflies attract mates of the opposite sex.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

In order to emit light, they dispense some of their energy utilizing the adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Apart from the ATP, other molecules are also involved in the emission of light, which are luciferin, enzyme (luciferase), and magnesium ions. The luciferin is the main molecule, which is responsible for the generation of light. The energy is provided by the ATP molecule. The researchers have found that luciferin emits maximum light in the presence of magnesium ions. All three molecules emit light when they are activated by enzyme luciferase under aerobic conditions.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that set of molecules, which are responsible for the production of light by the firefly lanterns are luciferin, luciferase, ATP, and magnesium ions. The enzyme luciferase activates luciferin in the presence of ATP. The bioluminescence is further enhanced by the magnesium ions in the fireflies.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
When using the concept of "a calorie in is equal to a calorie out" how important is the quality of the calories?
What did the Cre-lox system used in the Kikuchi et al. 2010 heart regeneration experiment allow researchers to investigate?  What was the purpose of the cmlc2 promoter?  What is CreER and why was it used in this experiment?  If constitutively active Cre was driven by the cmlc2 promoter, rather than an inducible CreER system, what color would you expect new cardiomyocytes in the regenerated area to be no matter what? Why?
What kind of organ size regulation is occurring when you graft multiple organs into a mouse and the graft weight stays the same?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Principles Of Radiographic Imaging: An Art And A ...
Health & Nutrition
ISBN:9781337711067
Author:Richard R. Carlton, Arlene M. Adler, Vesna Balac
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biomedical Instrumentation Systems
Chemistry
ISBN:9781133478294
Author:Chatterjee
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Surgical Tech For Surgical Tech Pos Care
Health & Nutrition
ISBN:9781337648868
Author:Association
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:9781305577206
Author:Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Biology
ISBN:9781133893943
Author:ESTRIDGE
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Anaerobic Respiration; Author: Bozeman Science;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDC29iBxb3w;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY