Brainspace – July 2019

12 brainspacemagazine.com @BrainspaceMag /BrainspaceMagazine

The magical glow from the firefly’s lantern is the result of

science. It’s a product of what’s found in its lower abdomen

and the reaction caused by the mixture of four things:

First is the enzyme called luciferase, made

in the firefly’s lantern (lower abdomen).

Second is a chemical called luciferin which

is also made in the lantern.

Third is an oxygen molecule.

Finally a molecule that is present in all

living organisms on Earth, ATP

(adenosine triphosphate).

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Lower abdomen

“lantern”

Firefly

The Magic of the

Use Zappar. Scan the image

to watch this wonderful

phenomenon.

biology