Bioluminescence: How Living Organisms Produce Light
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63688/vt3k9e44Keywords:
bioluminescence, luciferase, evolution, ecology, biotechnologyAbstract
Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon through which different organisms produce and emit light by means of specialized biochemical reactions. This study aimed to analyze light-production mechanisms, the evolution of bioluminescent systems, their ecological functions, and their main scientific applications. The research was conducted through a systematic literature review using a qualitative, documentary, and descriptive-analytical approach, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Fifteen scientific articles published between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed. The findings show that bioluminescence emerged independently in different biological groups and performs functions related to communication, reproduction, defense, feeding, and adaptation. Relevant applications were also identified in biotechnology, medicine, cellular research, and environmental monitoring. It is concluded that bioluminescence is a diverse phenomenon with broad scientific potential, although gaps remain regarding understudied species, new chemical mechanisms, and the optimization of its technological applications.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Diana Cristina Macera Veintimilla, Jhoni Javier Hoyos Caicedo, Sandra Patricia Arteaga Vaca, Katherine Gricelda Coello Taish, Sandro Ricardo Rivera Peláez (Autor/a)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
