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luciferin

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
lu·cif·er·in  (l-sfr-n)
n.
A chemical substance present in the cells of bioluminescent organisms, such as fireflies, that produces an almost heatless, bluish-green light when oxidized under the catalytic effects of luciferase and ATP.
[Latin lcifer, light-bringing; see Lucifer + -in.]
luciferin [luːˈsɪfərɪn]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) Biochem a substance occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as glow-worms and fireflies. It undergoes an enzyme-catalysed oxidation and emits light on decaying to its ground state
[from Latin lucifer (literally: light-bearer) + -in]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.luciferin - pigment occurring in luminescent organisms (as fireflies); emits heatless light when undergoing oxidation
animal pigment - pigment occurring in animals


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A firefly's light is produced by a chemical reaction involving a special protein, a pigment called luciferin, and oxygen.
Firefly delight by Sohn, Emily / Science News for Kids
The plate was placed in a Lmax luminometer (Molecular Devices Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), and the following sequence of events was programmed for each well: a) injection of 100 [micro]L luciferin assay mix (Promega); b) 4-sec delay; c) light production measured over a 10-sec period.
Biomarker measurements in a coastal fish-eating population ... by Pereg, Daria / Environmental Health Perspectives
The firefly genes enable cells to make an enzyme called luciferase, which emits a pale yellowish green light when combined with a similarly named substance, luciferin.
GLOWING MICE HELP STANFORD SCIENTISTS TRACK VIRUS GROWTH by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
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