Lab Activity 12.3
Bioluminescence

  Directions

Study the instructional material below. Be sure to click on each of the photographs for an enlarged view in a separate window. The larger version is necessary to complete the assignment. It opens in a separate window which can be resized by grabbing the bottom right corner and dragging it. It can also be moved by grabbing the top heading bar and dragging it. Be sure to close the extra window by using the X in IBM, or the close box in MAC when you are finished using them.

  Introduction


Many organisms in the deep ocean are able to make their own light. They do this for many purposes which are critical to their very existence. The lights are beautiful and mysterious. In this lab activity you will study these bioluminescent creatures and observe lights that few people have seen with their own eyes.

Top  Instruction

Answer the following questions about bioluminescence by visiting the Bioluminescence Web Page and searching for the answers. Prepare an answer for each of the questions listed below. You can print out the charts and fill them in or create similar charts in your notebook.

Be sure to write about what you are learning in the lab section of your notebook. You will be expected to answer questions about the lab activity during the lab self test and lab quiz. It helps to have your text and coloring books open beside you for support.

 
Supporting Information
Refer to the Assigned Readings Below:
Marine Biology Textbook Chapter 16, pages 365 to 367
Marine Biology Coloring Book Plates 69 and 70
 

Bioluminescent Organisms

Questions Answers
1. What are milky seas and what causes this phenomenon?  
2. How does the "color-changing squid" use bioluminescence for camouflage?  
3. How does the "color-changing squid" use blue and green light?  
4. How does the angler jellyfish use bioluminescence in finding food?  
5. How do the Loosejaw fishes use bioluminescence in finding food without alerting predators?  

 

Chemistry of Bioluminescence
Questions Answers
1. What are luciferin and luciferase?  
2. How do photoproteins contribute?  
3. Why is Bioluminescence not the same as "fluorescence" or "phosphorescence"?  

 

Physiology of Bioluminescence

Questions Answers
1. What color is most common and why?  
2. What advantages are there to producing red light?  
3. What influences the intensity of the flash of a dinoflagellate?  
4. How do fish control luminesence?  
5. What triggers luminescence in dinoflagellates?  

 

Instruments and Modeling for Studying Bioluminescence
Questions Answers
1. What is a Bathyphotometer?  
2. How are autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) being used?  

Lab Activity 12.4 Hydrothermal Vents