Marine Bioluminescence outline #1

This topic submitted by Adam Screeden ( screedaj@muohio.edu) at 11:59 PM on 3/30/08.

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Tropical Field Courses -Interdisciplinary Studies-Miami University

Bioluminescence is a relatively common phenomenon among marine life from fish all the way to microbes. The ability to create light has various applications including attraction and/or camoflouge, defense, and illumination among various others. The focus of the research on this topic will be on the variety of species using it, mechanisms by which the light is generated, uses for bioluminescence by the respective organisms, as well as potential use by humans.

1) Introduction
a. Brief overview
b. History of sightings, milky seas,
2) How bioluminescence is produced
a. Evolutionary reasons for bioluminescence
b. The mechanism by which cold light is emitted
3) Types of marine organisms exhibiting bioluminescence
a. Bacteria
b. Invertebrates
c. Vertebrates
4) Biological functions
a. Mating
b. Defense
c. Camoflouge
d. Hunting
e. Other
5) Effects on humans and the ecosystem
a. Environmental effects such as red tides
b. Human applications

Works Cited

bioluminescence. (2008). In Encyclopždia Britannica. Retrieved March 30, 2008, from Encyclopždia Britannica Online: http://search.eb.com/eb/article-8261

Schrope. (2007). Marine biology: Lights in the deep. Nature, 450(7169), 472-474.

Rees, J., De Wergifosse, B., Noiset, O., Dubuisson, M., Janssens, B., & Thompson, E. M. (1998). The origins of marine bioluminescence: Turning oxygen defense mechanisms into deep-sea... Journal of Experimental Biology, 201(8), 1211-1221.

Dunlap, J. C. (2008). Salad Days in the Rhythms Trade. Genetics, 178(1), 1-13.

(2006). LIGHTING UP LIFE. Science, 311(5757), 19-19.

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