U-Haul #135: Indiana
N 39° 46.115 W 086° 09.719
16S E 571774 N 4402408
A simple joy of childhood, catching fireflies, turns out to have scientific value.
Waymark Code: WM98GC
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 07/13/2010
Views: 222
Light production in fireflies is due to a type of chemical reaction called bioluminescence. This process occurs in specialised light-emitting organs, usually on a firefly's lower abdomen. The enzyme luciferase acts on the luciferin, in the presence of magnesium ions, ATP, and oxygen to produce light. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. This chemically-produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green, or pale red — wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers. Renaissance painters used a powder of dried fireflies to create a photosensitive mixture. It is believed that Caravaggio may have used this powder in his paintings.
Firefly luciferase is used in forensics, and the enzyme has medical uses - particularly for detecting the presence of ATP or magnesium. Scientists are using bioluminescent organisms to synthetically trace the ATP and calcium in the cell, to illustrate progression of infection, and to assist in AIDS research. Bioluminescent genes are spliced into other organisms enabling many advances in science as a result.
Most synthetic uses of bioluminescence occur in the medical field to further technological advances. Current research includes tracing the path of disease in living animals, analyzing cellular levels of ATP and calcium and advances in gene therapy. Medical professionals hope to be able to use bioluminescence research to fight AIDS, reduce the number of research animal deaths, and to improve the quality of diagnostic tests.
"Default Image and any additional cited content and/or images from the U-Haul SuperGraphics website are used with permission from U-Haul International."
Thank you U-Haul!
Website URL: [Web Link]
I used the coordinates of the capital city: yes
Images used as per the requirements: yes
Modern, Classic, Trailer or Photo Story: Modern
Coordinates of Featured Scene: Not Listed
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