BETA
Chapter 1
The chemistry of living light
Chapter 2
Deep-sea hunting and survival strategies
Chapter 3
Defense mechanisms in the dark
Chapter 4
Communication and community in the abyss
YOUR GOAL
Master of Bioluminescence in the deep ocean
Ch 4 · Communication and community in the abyss
artiteacher Match glowing pals to discover how deep-sea creatures make their own light.
artiteacher Deep-Sea Bioluminescence
Way down in the deep dark blue, (oh-oh!) / They light up for you! / Bioluminescence bright, yeah! / Sharing messages with light!
artiteacher Lanternfish use distinct arrangements of glowing spots to identify their own kind and stick together.
artiteacher Trillions of glowing bacteria occasionally gather to create massive bioluminescent ocean patches visible from space.
Fun Fact
Milky seas glow: Trillions of glowing bacteria can light up 15,000 square kilometers of ocean, creating a glow visible from space.
Glossary
bioluminescence (noun)
The biochemical emission of light by a living organism. Lanternfish use unique patterns of this light to recognize and school with their own species.
The biochemical emission of light by a living organism. Lanternfish use unique patterns of this light to recognize and school with their own species.
Quiz
How does the Hawaiian bobtail squid select only the correct glowing bacteria for its light organ?
Quiz
What is Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), originally found in jellyfish, used for in science?
Quiz
Which technology was first used to confirm the existence of milky seas from space?
Quiz
What kind of relationship exists between the bobtail squid and its glowing Vibrio fischeri bacteria?