Creatures of Light

Gr 5 Up—Fireflies are dazzling; few land animals glow as they do. In the oceans, lighting up from within (bioluminescence) or by reflecting light (biofluorescence) is almost matter of fact—about 90 percent of ocean life glows. As this delightful program explains, marine biologists are trying to better understand these displays, since the science behind illumination can be used to track cancer, discover pollution, and perhaps even explain how the human brain works. Scientists have employed green fluorescent proteins to study cancer and viruses, and they are searching for usable red fluorescent proteins, as red light has a wavelength that can penetrate brain tissue very well. Creatures that glow are found all across the tree of life: from mushrooms and snails to fish and flies. They light up to hide from predators, to woo a mate, to lure prey, or to act as motion sensors. The program discusses how this process works and that fish see these intense colors all the time.