One of the wonders of nature-Bioluminescent planktons

You may have seen this natural phenomena if you are living near a sea shore or if you have walked along the shore at night.You will see small stars shining in the sea,like they have fallen from the sky :) .But do you know what is this actually?It's a biological process.Those star like lights are planktons.Not ordinary planktons,they are bioluminescent planktons.They can glow in the dark.But how?

Certain creatures on land and sea can produce light through chemical process inside their bodies.It's known as bioluminescence.It is a result of a chemical reaction which produces light,chemiluminescence.When some chemical
s are mixed it produces energy which excites other particles on vibration and generate light.So the glow in planktons are caused by several oxidation reactions set off by a catalyst called luciferase.

These planktons are a main food source of aquatic organisms such as fish.So planktons use bioluminescence as a way to evade predators.

Nature is amazing,Isn't it? :)

photo credit: 'Bombs Away' - Penmon, Anglesey via photopin (license) photo credit: Bioluminescent plankton via photopin (license) Electric Beach via photopin (license)

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