bi·o·lu·mi·nes·cence (b   -l m -n s ns)n. Emission of visible light by living organisms such as the firefly and various fish, fungi, and bacteria. bi o·lumi·nescent adj. |
| bioluminescence (b-lm-nsns) The emission of light by living organisms, such as fireflies, glowworms, and certain fish, jellyfish, plankton, fungi, and bacteria. It occurs when a pigment (usually luciferin) is oxidized without giving off heat. Although it is believed that bioluminescence is involved in animal communication, its function in many organisms has yet to be understood. Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence. Compare chemiluminescence. |
bioluminescence
the property of some organisms, as fireflies, of producing light. — bioluminescent, adj.
See also: Biology
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | bioluminescence - luminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly) luminescence - light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures |
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