Lily asks, “Why is Neptune blue?”
- Neptune’s atmosphere is made up of hydrogen, helium and methane. The methane in Neptune’s upper atmosphere absorbs the red light from the sun but reflects the blue light from the sun back into space. This is why Neptune appears blue.
“Ok, why do the phytoplankton light up?”
Well, says the mother who has no idea, “I’ll find out”.
I went on to explain that the creatures have a bacteria within them that causes the light.
“So, how can bacteria light up?”
I should have known… So I kept researching.
Phytoplankton and other bioluminescent creatures have a bacteria resident in their bodies, and when it interacts with oxygen, in a chemical reaction, it produces the light, also known as luciferase.
Yep, you guessed, luci-what? So, after explaining and recalling with Lily what chemical reactions are, thanks to this video (Mentos & Diet Coke)
How Does Bioluminescence Work?
While the effect is similar, bioluminescence is very different than flourescence. While flourescence is the emission of a photon as a result of the excitation of an electron, bioluminescence is a product of a chemical reaction in an organism. The basic reaction that occurs which allows the organism to emit light is graphically illustrated above. The oxidation of luciferin catalyzed by the enzyme luciferase results in oxyluciferin and light. Adenisine triphosphate (ATP) provides the energy to produce the luciferin. (5) A luciferin is a general term used for compounds that possess light emitting capabilities. Two of the most popular luciferins are coelenterazine and vargula. These two compounds and luciferins like them allow for the production of ‘cold light’ as little to no heat is given off during these reactions. (4) Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute |
Bioluminescent Bacteria
There are bacteria living in the oceans that actually produce light! These microbes are easily
found in seawater, marine sediments, in the guts of marine animals, and on the surface of
decomposing fish. There are fish and squid that have evolved the ability to harness the power of
these light-producing microbes. These animals have specialized organs that provide bioluminescent
bacteria with both a safe place to live and a source of food. In return the animals can use the light
that is produced by the microbes either as a means of camouflage, as an aid in hunting, or even as a
way of attracting mates. While interesting from the point of view of understanding the complex
interactions between animals and microbes the study of luminescent bacteria has also provided
unexpected insights on strategies for treating cystic fibrosis and preventing antibiotic resistant
bacterial infections.
Lum
http://cibt.bio.cornell.edu/workshops_and_summer_programs/0610ccc/Biolum.pdf
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An inoculation loop, also called a smear loop, inoculation wand or microstreaker, is a simple tool used mainly by microbiologists to retrieve an inoculum from a culture of microorganisms. The loop is used in the cultivation of microbes on plates by transferring inoculum for streaking. …
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2544669/The-amazing-glow-dark-beach-Honeymooner-snaps-stunning-surf-lit-bioluminescent-phytoplankton.html
The coolest part of this is 1) I learned a ton, 2) she will hear the elements, the terms, the concepts and in the future, they’ll be there when she cares again, 3) I have a yet another reason to go to Maldives.