I saw a beautiful picture, at around 3 a.m. today. And the beautiful, neon-like lights in the gentle waves of water got me thinking about what causes bioluminescence. I remembered how phosphorus paint glows in the dark. And I remembered how some explain the glow at the edge of the ocean, in the right lighting, as a phosphorous glow. But the picture showed so much blue. And the person who shared the pic titled it “Beauty of Bioluminescence.” So I did a little study on that.
Turns out, that kind of bioluminescence isn’t a phosphorous glow.
When I found information on this serene radiation, I noticed something VERY interesting. At least to me. And I’ll share what and why in a minute. First, here are a couple of quotes on the bioluminescence process:
“The metabolic reaction that combines the oxygen with a reducing substance (luciferin) liberates sufficient energy to excite a molecule in the organism to emit visible radiation.”
Then the article reiterated that point by saying, “In most bioluminescent organisms, the essential light-emitting components are the oxidizable organic molecule luciferin and the enzyme luciferase, which are specific for different organisms.”
So, did you pick up on what I found VERY interesting?
It’s the molecule, luciferin, and the enzyme luciferase. If you’re a Christian, or if you’ve ever studied the Christian faith, you probably recall that Satan was referred to as “an angel of light.” And you might also recall that Satan is also known as…wait for it…Lucifer.
Hmm…Lucifer, an angel of light. Coincidence? Or Divine predestination?
Neither. A pharmacologist, named Raphaël Dubois, named the molecule and the enzyme. And he called them luciferin and luciferase based on the Latin term “lucifer.” And that means, light bringer. How cool is that?!
Well, you know me. I don’t like to leave the descriptions to scientists and linguists. So, I composed an ode, of sorts, based on the beautiful picture (found in the glasses at the top of this article) AND the information on the subject of bioluminescence and phosphorus glow. I call it…
Luciferin Light
Bioluminescence, like diamonds in dreams,
The light is delightful, but not as it seems,
Where oxidization produces compounds,
Aqua light in the night that truly astounds.
“Luciferin emissions” sounds wicked, and yet,
They’re what occurs as we view this vignette.
Labyrinth liquid, one of many designs,
Establishes essence of brilliant blue lines,
And creates conundrums for science to solve.
But one thing’s for sure, it could never evolve.
© 2022
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