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Factoid:
How does a firefly make it\'s light?

Subject: Life Science

Fireflies or lightning bugs (Photinus pyroles) create rhythmic flashes of light from their anus with intervals between 4 to 8 seconds. Some scientists speculate that it\'s a way to send signals to each other, attract prey, or signal a warning. Whatever it may be, their light has been a mystery for years. The light has recently been defined by the concept of bioluminescence. This is caused when oxidation of carbon and hydrogen occurs quickly within only a few steps. This quick reaction produces a lot of harmful energy and instead of being rid of by heat, some organisms rid of it in the form of light, such as fireflies. Specifically, in fireflies, the substance luciferin under the presence of the enzyme luciferase undergo oxidation. And, moreover, the whole process is controlled by the nervous system.

Contributed by: Graham Glass


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