Fall 2021
Intermediate English Reading
1B Bioluminescence:
National Geographic Original Text
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/bioluminescence/
Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction within a living
organism. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence, which is simply
the term for a chemical reaction where light is produced.
Most bioluminescent organisms are found in the ocean. These bioluminescent
marine species include fish, bacteria, and jellies. Some bioluminescent
organisms, including fireflies and fungi, are found on land. There are almost
no bioluminescent organisms native to freshwater habitats.
Bioluminescent dinoflagellates produce light using a luciferin-luciferase
reaction. The luciferase found in dinoflagellates is related to the green
chemical chlorophyll found in plants.
Bioluminescent dinoflagellate ecosystems are rare, mostly forming in warm-
water lagoons with narrow openings to the open sea. Bioluminescent
dinoflagellates gather in these lagoons or bays, and the narrow opening
prevents them from escaping. The whole lagoon can be illuminated at night.
Biologists identified a new bioluminescent dinoflagellate ecosystem in the
Humacao Natural Reserve, Puerto Rico, in 2010.
Fall 2021
Intermediate English Reading
1B Bioluminescence:
National Geographic Original Text
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/
encyclopedia/bioluminescence/
Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction within a living
organism. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence, which is simply
the term for a chemical reaction where light is produced.
Most bioluminescent organisms are found in the ocean. These bioluminescent
marine species include fish, bacteria, and jellies. Some bioluminescent
organisms, including fireflies and fungi, are found on land. There are almost
no bioluminescent organisms native to freshwater habitats.
Bioluminescent dinoflagellates produce light using a luciferin-luciferase
reaction. The luciferase found in dinoflagellates is related to the green
chemical chlorophyll found in plants.
Bioluminescent dinoflagellate ecosystems are rare, mostly forming in warm-
water lagoons with narrow openings to the open sea. Bioluminescent
dinoflagellates gather in these lagoons or bays, and the narrow opening
prevents them from escaping. The whole lagoon can be illuminated at night.
Biologists identified a new bioluminescent dinoflagellate ecosystem in the
Humacao Natural Reserve, Puerto Rico, in 2010.
Bioluminescent Light
Few organisms can glow in more than one color. The so-called railroad worm
(actually the larva of a beetle) may be the most familiar. The head of the
railroad worm glows red, while its body glows green. Different luciferases
cause the bioluminescence to be expressed differently.
Few organisms can glow in more than one color. The so-called railroad worm
(actually the larva of a beetle) may be the most familiar. The head of the
railroad worm glows red, while its body glows green. Different luciferases
cause the bioluminescence to be expressed differently.
Some organisms emit light continuously. Some species of fungi present in
decaying wood, for instance, emit a fairly consistent glow, called foxfire.
Most organisms, however, use their light organs to flash for periods of less
than a second to about 10 seconds. These flashes can occur in specific spots,
such as the dots on a squid. Other flashes can illuminate the organism's entire
body.
Bioluminescent Light
Few organisms can glow in more than one color. The so-called railroad worm
(actually the larva of a beetle) may be the most familiar. The head of the
railroad worm glows red, while its body glows green. Different luciferases
cause the bioluminescence to be expressed differently.
Few organisms can glow in more than one color. The so-called railroad worm
(actually the larva of a beetle) may be the most familiar. The head of the
railroad worm glows red, while its body glows green. Different luciferases
cause the bioluminescence to be expressed differently.
Some organisms emit light continuously. Some species of fungi present in
decaying wood, for instance, emit a fairly consistent glow, called foxfire.
Most organisms, however, use their light organs to flash for periods of less
than a second to about 10 seconds. These flashes can occur in specific spots,
such as the dots on a squid. Other flashes can illuminate the organism's entire
body.