PHOTOPHORE
A 'photophore' is a light-emitting organ which appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fishes and cephalopods. The organ can be simple, or as complex as the human eye; equipped with lenses, shutters, color filters and reflectors [1]. The light can be produced from compounds during the digestion of prey, from specialized mitochondrial cells in the organism, called photocytes ("light producing" cells) , or, similarly, associated with symbiotic bacteria in the organism that is cultured.
The character of photophores is important in the identification of benthic fishes.
Photophores on fish are mainly used for attracting food or confusing predators.
Photophores are also on some Cephalopods, most notably the Firefly Squid (also known as the Sparkling Enope Squid) which can create large light displays.
In medicine, the photophore is an instrument (a type of endoscope) used to observe internal organs and tissues.
Compare: chemoluminescence, bioluminescence, biophoton
#Photo, diagram and description of a cephalopod photophore
The character of photophores is important in the identification of benthic fishes.
Photophores on fish are mainly used for attracting food or confusing predators.
Photophores are also on some Cephalopods, most notably the Firefly Squid (also known as the Sparkling Enope Squid) which can create large light displays.
In medicine, the photophore is an instrument (a type of endoscope) used to observe internal organs and tissues.
Compare: chemoluminescence, bioluminescence, biophoton
| Contents |
| Reference |
Reference
#Photo, diagram and description of a cephalopod photophore
This article provided by Wikipedia. To edit the contents of this article, click here for original source.
psst.. try this: add to faves
Featured Companies
| Dancing Moon Travel | |
| Alpine Interface Inc. | |
| Travelbugs, LLC | |
| Golf Holidays International |

العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
Español



