Firefly light production itself is kind of a little miracle. In their light organs, the enzyme luciferase oxidizes luciferin in a reaction that converts almost all the energy of the reaction into light without producing excess heat. The light can be turned on and off by the coordination of nitrous oxide production to liberate oxygen to participate in the reaction.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Luciferase - Enzyme of wonder
Firefly light production itself is kind of a little miracle. In their light organs, the enzyme luciferase oxidizes luciferin in a reaction that converts almost all the energy of the reaction into light without producing excess heat. The light can be turned on and off by the coordination of nitrous oxide production to liberate oxygen to participate in the reaction.
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