bioluminescence
[ bahy-oh-loo-muh-nes-uh ns ]
/ ˌbaɪ oʊˌlu məˈnɛs əns /
noun
the production of light by living organisms.
Origin of bioluminescence
First recorded in 1915–20;
bio- +
luminescence
OTHER WORDS FROM bioluminescence
bi·o·lu·mi·nes·cent, adjectiveWords nearby bioluminescence
biological warfare,
biologics,
biologism,
biologist,
biology,
bioluminescence,
biolysis,
biolytic,
biomagnetism,
biomagnification,
biomagnify
Example sentences from the Web for bioluminescence
In fact, bioluminescence is such a huge drain on energy that it'll be difficult to get plants to glow bright enough to notice.
It is not the purpose of this book to deal with every phase of bioluminescence.
The Nature of Animal Light |E. Newton HarveyA fairly complete list of literature covering the whole field of Bioluminescence is given by Mangold, 1910.
The Nature of Animal Light |E. Newton Harvey
British Dictionary definitions for bioluminescence
bioluminescence
/ (ˌbaɪəʊˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns) /
noun
the production of light by living organisms as a result of the oxidation of a light-producing substance (luciferin) by the enzyme luciferase: occurs in many marine organisms, insects such as the firefly, etc
Derived forms of bioluminescence
bioluminescent, adjectiveScientific definitions for bioluminescence
bioluminescence
[ bī′ō-lōō′mə-nĕs′əns ]
The emission of light by living organisms, such as fireflies, glowworms, and certain fish, jellyfish, plankton, fungi, and bacteria. It occurs when a pigment (usually luciferin) is oxidized without giving off heat. Although it is believed that bioluminescence is involved in animal communication, its function in many organisms has yet to be understood. Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence. Compare chemiluminescence.