A Mesmerizing Light in the Ocean
Pyrocystis noctiluca is an extraordinary marine plankton capable of producing bioluminescence, aka light. This blue light bursts forth instantly when the water around them moves, lighting up the ocean’s surface. You can often spot their glow around ships or in breaking waves, creating a mesmerizing display. I have seen it once in my lifetime on a beach where the waves were breaking and I could not stop watching.
Nature’s Defence Mechanism
But this glow isn’t just for show. Pyrocystis uses it as a defence mechanism. When disturbed, it emits flashes of light to startle predators, like copepods. Even more, these light flashes highlight the movements of predators, making them visible to larger secondary predators. Pyrocystis can emit an astonishing 23–62 light flashes per second.
The Science Behind the Glow
The glowing effect of Pyrocystis noctiluca is created through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence, which occurs within specialized organelles known as scintillons. These organelles contain two key components: the protein luciferin and the enzyme luciferase. When the organism senses movement in the water, luciferin and luciferase interact, triggering a reaction that releases energy in the form of light. The result is an instant, beautiful blue glow.
A Synchronized Light Show
Pyrocystis often lives in high densities. In the event of an attack, they all light up at the same time, illuminating the entire area and giving an amazing light show.
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*This photo was made for and is property of Micropia
