what is the diffrence between glow in the dark, flourescent, and bioluminescence
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Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is a term used to describe light created by living organisms. It is what gives a firefly its shine, makes waves glow at night, and lights up a deep-sea anglerfish lure. The animal itself is the light source; or rather, chemicals within the animals body excite electrons to give off light. Bioluminescence is truly special because it requires input from no other energy source than the food the animal consumes. Certain types of proteins, called luciferins, store energy in the form of excited electrons. These electrons are freed from their bonds by enzymes called luciferases. Once free they become less energetic, and in doing so, release energy in the form of photons, or light. Virtually all bioluminescent reactions occur in this manner, whether created by bacteria, vertebrates, or anything in between.
Though the chemical constituents are vastly different, bioluminescent reactions are similar in effect to that of a glow stick (chemiluminescence). That is, both sets of reactions rely on two separate molecules, which combine in an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction that yields light and a third molecule of lower energy.
Fluorescence
On the atomic level, fluorescence and bioluminescence are similar. In fact, light in general is simply a byproduct of the excitement and subsequent calming of electrons. The difference is in the trigger. Whereas the bioluminescent trigger is the luciferin/luciferase complex, fluorescence is triggered when a pigment absorbs light from an outside source. In the case of anthozoan fluorescence, the external source is sunlight (or artificial light in an aquarium). As the light passes through the anthozoans tissues, some of it is absorbed by fluorescing pigments. These pigments make electrons available for excitation, which in turn give off light as they return to their normal energy levels.
Fluorescence accounts for more color varieties than either bioluminescence or phosphorescence, because the emitted color is dependant upon the fluorescent pigment which absorbs the incoming light. The resulting hue is determined by the excitement level the electron achieves. Originally, fluorescence was believed to come from a single pigment, the Green Fluorescent Pigment (GFP). Since that time, a number of similar molecules have been discovered. This group is referred to as the GFP-like Chromo-Proteins (CP).
Marine aquarists know that blue (actinic) light typically yields the most intense fluorescence. Ultraviolet light will produce an even stronger effect. This intensity occurs because blue and indigo are the most energetic colors of visible light, and therefore provide the most energy to excite electrons. White light, which carries all colors of the visible spectrum, contains more than enough blue light to induce fluorescence. Unfortunately, the other colors often drown out the glow, making it harder to see. Aquarium lighting can be adjusted to enhance the fluorescent qualities of the livestock, but in the ocean you must be at least 33 feet underwater to see the same effect with the naked eye. Beyond that depth, the water has filtered out most of the colors other than blue, allowing divers to witness naturally occurring fluorescence.
Phosphorescence
Phosphorescence is very similar to fluorescence in its chemistry, however the manifestation of the results is different. Rather than create bright light which ends as soon as the external light source is removed, phosphorescence is less intense but remains for a time after the external light has ended. Phosphorescence is what you see when a child has glow-in-the-dark stars glued to the ceiling. Instead of absorbing and releasing energy instantly, the electrons re-release the energy more slowly than it was absorbed. Though some cnidarians exhibit phosphorescent tendencies, often the light is too weak to be seen with the naked eye. It may also be overwhelmed by bioluminescent or fluorescent light produced by the same animal. Interestingly, bleached out coral skeletons sometimes visibly phosphoresce.
Bioluminescence is a term used to describe light created by living organisms. It is what gives a firefly its shine, makes waves glow at night, and lights up a deep-sea anglerfish lure. The animal itself is the light source; or rather, chemicals within the animals body excite electrons to give off light. Bioluminescence is truly special because it requires input from no other energy source than the food the animal consumes. Certain types of proteins, called luciferins, store energy in the form of excited electrons. These electrons are freed from their bonds by enzymes called luciferases. Once free they become less energetic, and in doing so, release energy in the form of photons, or light. Virtually all bioluminescent reactions occur in this manner, whether created by bacteria, vertebrates, or anything in between.
Though the chemical constituents are vastly different, bioluminescent reactions are similar in effect to that of a glow stick (chemiluminescence). That is, both sets of reactions rely on two separate molecules, which combine in an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction that yields light and a third molecule of lower energy.
Fluorescence
On the atomic level, fluorescence and bioluminescence are similar. In fact, light in general is simply a byproduct of the excitement and subsequent calming of electrons. The difference is in the trigger. Whereas the bioluminescent trigger is the luciferin/luciferase complex, fluorescence is triggered when a pigment absorbs light from an outside source. In the case of anthozoan fluorescence, the external source is sunlight (or artificial light in an aquarium). As the light passes through the anthozoans tissues, some of it is absorbed by fluorescing pigments. These pigments make electrons available for excitation, which in turn give off light as they return to their normal energy levels.
Fluorescence accounts for more color varieties than either bioluminescence or phosphorescence, because the emitted color is dependant upon the fluorescent pigment which absorbs the incoming light. The resulting hue is determined by the excitement level the electron achieves. Originally, fluorescence was believed to come from a single pigment, the Green Fluorescent Pigment (GFP). Since that time, a number of similar molecules have been discovered. This group is referred to as the GFP-like Chromo-Proteins (CP).
Marine aquarists know that blue (actinic) light typically yields the most intense fluorescence. Ultraviolet light will produce an even stronger effect. This intensity occurs because blue and indigo are the most energetic colors of visible light, and therefore provide the most energy to excite electrons. White light, which carries all colors of the visible spectrum, contains more than enough blue light to induce fluorescence. Unfortunately, the other colors often drown out the glow, making it harder to see. Aquarium lighting can be adjusted to enhance the fluorescent qualities of the livestock, but in the ocean you must be at least 33 feet underwater to see the same effect with the naked eye. Beyond that depth, the water has filtered out most of the colors other than blue, allowing divers to witness naturally occurring fluorescence.
Phosphorescence
Phosphorescence is very similar to fluorescence in its chemistry, however the manifestation of the results is different. Rather than create bright light which ends as soon as the external light source is removed, phosphorescence is less intense but remains for a time after the external light has ended. Phosphorescence is what you see when a child has glow-in-the-dark stars glued to the ceiling. Instead of absorbing and releasing energy instantly, the electrons re-release the energy more slowly than it was absorbed. Though some cnidarians exhibit phosphorescent tendencies, often the light is too weak to be seen with the naked eye. It may also be overwhelmed by bioluminescent or fluorescent light produced by the same animal. Interestingly, bleached out coral skeletons sometimes visibly phosphoresce.
HotCocoa:
your answer was so long :( did you just copy the answer? its very hard to sort it out, I really just wanted to know, its summer, I'm out of school and I don't really want a long answer that I have to sort though, the answer should be a lot shorter :( D:
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