Listen "How does bioluminescence work?"
Episode Synopsis
Have you ever seen a firefly blink on a summer night or witnessed the ghostly lights that haunt the deep ocean? This is bioluminescence, and in this episode, we explore how life creates its own light. We'll uncover the elegant chemical recipe, nature's own reusable glow stick, and trace the centuries-long journey of discovery, from Aristotle's first observations to the clever experiments that finally decoded the light. We'll journey from the familiar glow of a mushroom on the forest floor to the deep sea to see how creatures use this power to hunt, hide, and attract a mate. Finally, we'll see how scientists are now borrowing this natural magic to fight disease and detect pollution, turning living light into a revolutionary tool for humanity.
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