These questions and answers are for a life in the sea class referring to the topic of bioluminescence. The questions are regarding: symbiotic relationships, comparing and contrasting the mechanisms of luminescence, provided examples of bioluminescence, and also defining aposemitism and providing a ...
1. Bioluminescent systems have coevolved with visual systems and complex
behavioral systems. Explain this statement and give at least two specific
examples.
Bioluminescent systems are spread out and have spread into other
animals within the ocean. One example would be in animals and another
could be bacteria.
2. How do symbiotic luminescent systems differ from intrinsic luminescent
systems? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each type of
luminescence?
Symbiotic luminescent systems will allow the organisms to have the benefits/
advantages of intrinsic luminescent systems without having to do anything.
Intrinsic luminescent can produce lights themselves. Symbiotic luminescence
makes the organisms not have to expand any resources to create light is an
advantage.
3. What is aposemitism? Describe a scenario where luminescence acts as an
aposematic signal. What are the advantages of evolving such behaviors?
Aposemitism is where one species tries to “fake-out” predators by pretending to
be something it is not. Luminescence acts as an aposematic signal and
ophiuroids give a warning flash to their predators so they do not get attacked.
The advantage of such behaviors can be that it can keep predators away from
certain species so they can avoid being attacked.
4. Why would bioluminescence be important in the mesopelagic and the
deep sea? How do the functions of luminescence differ in various parts of
the ocean?
It’s important because the deal sea is dark and lonely place where the food and
mates may be scarce having bioluminescence will help them evolve and create
their own structures and find mates easier. The difference is the parts of the
ocean in shallow parts of the ocean more light is there so not as much light is
needed as much as the deep sea needs the light.
5. Compare and contrast the different mechanisms of luminescence. What
are the advantages of one system over another?
Chemiluminescence is the emission of light as the result of a chemical
reaction. Photoluminescence is luminescence of a substance excited by
light. Chemiluminescence light can be triggered by a chemical reaction
anywhere because it is a lot more sensitive and can pick up tiny amounts
of anything in the water and be triggered. With photoluminescence many
places of the water have multiple areas where it is exited by its not
populated at a lower temperature.
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