Bioluminescence & Luciferin Roles

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Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of the roles of luciferin and luciferase in bioluminescence?

Luciferin acts as the catalyst, while luciferase is the light-emitting molecule.
Luciferase provides oxygen for the reaction, and luciferin helps in the removal of waste products.
Luciferin is the light-emitting molecule, and luciferase is the enzyme that catalyzes the reaction. (correct)
Both luciferin and luciferase are structural proteins that support the light-emitting cells.

Although luciferins vary little across different species, some organisms obtain luciferin through:

Direct synthesis from oxygen and luciferase.
Symbiotic relationships with bioluminescent bacteria.
Photosynthesis.
Feeding. (correct)

Which of the following BEST describes the chemical process of bioluminescence?

Luciferin reacts with oxygen in the presence of luciferase, yielding oxyluciferin and light energy. (correct)
Luciferin reacts with carbon dioxide, catalyzed by photoproteins, to emit light.
Luciferase catalyzes the breakdown of oxyluciferin into luciferin and light.
Luciferin reacts with nitrogen in the presence of luciferase, producing oxyluciferin and light energy.

In marine environments, bioluminescence is observed in a wide range of organisms. Which group does NOT exhibit bioluminescence?

Sponges. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a TRUE statement about the distribution of bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is widely distributed in marine environments among various organisms. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which cofactors are MOST commonly involved in the bioluminescent reaction alongside luciferin, oxygen, and luciferase?

Magnesium or calcium and sometimes ATP. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Symbiotic bioluminescence, often seen in marine animals, involves a relationship with bacteria from which genus?

Vibrio. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the general reaction for bioluminescence, if Luciferin + O2 react in the presence of Luciferase the products are light energy, Oxyluciferin, and:

CO2 + PP (pyrophosphate) or AMP. (E) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of pheromones?

Influencing the behavior or physiology of the same species. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes allelochemicals from pheromones?

Allelochemicals affect members of different species, while pheromones affect the same species. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A plant emits a volatile compound that attracts insects which prey on herbivores attacking the plant. This compound benefits both the plant (by reducing herbivory) and the predatory insects (by providing food). What type of semiochemical is this?

Synomone (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the relationship between the emitter and receiver in a kairomone interaction?

The receiver benefits, and the emitter is harmed. (D) Signup and view all the answers

An insect emits a chemical that repels predators. This chemical has no effect on the plants the insect feeds on. What type of semiochemical is being described?

Allomone (C) Signup and view all the answers

Consider a scenario where a beetle produces a defensive chemical. Which semiochemical category would this fall into if the chemical benefits the beetle but has no effect on the surrounding plants?

Allomone (D) Signup and view all the answers

If a primer pheromone triggers a physiological change in the receiving organism without an immediate behavioral change, how does it differ from a releaser pheromone?

Releaser pheromones induce an immediate behavioral change. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Lactic acid in human sweat attracts mosquitos. This is an example of which type of allelochemical?

Kairomone (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the prevalence of blue and green light emission observed in marine bioluminescence?

Water absorbs other wavelengths more efficiently, leaving blue and green as the most penetrating. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario would a marine organism utilize a 'burglar alarm' as a bioluminescent defense mechanism?

To signal to nearby organisms about the presence of a predator, thus deterring the predator. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can bioluminescence be applied to biotechnology?

Through medical imaging and reporter genes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is communication crucial for an organism's survival in its environment?

It helps the organism receive stimuli and send messages, aiding in adaptation and response to biotic and abiotic stressors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes semiochemicals from other organic compounds used by animals?

Semiochemicals convey messages to modify behavior or physiology in other organisms, especially insects. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do semiochemicals aid insects in overcoming the defense mechanisms of their hosts?

By masking the insect's presence or manipulating the host's behavior. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental difference between pheromones and allelochemics?

Pheromones facilitate communication within the same species, while allelochemics facilitate communication between different species. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do primer pheromones differ from releaser pheromones in their effect on animal behavior?

Primer pheromones induce physiological changes with no immediate behavioral effect, while releaser pheromones induce immediate behavioral changes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an apneumone and how does it function?

Hexanal released from rabbit stools attracting sandfly females for oviposition. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In an ecosystem, which scenario exemplifies the use of allelochemics?

C and D (E) Signup and view all the answers

In what way do trail pheromones assist social insects like ants?

By marking pathways to resources and enabling guards to surround invaders when released with alarm pheromones. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of aggregation pheromones, as exemplified by those found in termites?

To attract individuals to a common location, combining attractants and arrestants. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the major urinary protein (MUP), darcin, function as a sex pheromone in mice?

It enhances attraction of females to adult male urine. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole (SBT) in mice?

An alarm pheromone. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do arrestants contribute to the function of aggregation pheromones in termites?

By causing termites to stop and remain in the vicinity of the pheromone source. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which semiochemical, derived from non-living sources, inadvertently aids sandfly reproduction?

Hexanal from rabbit stools. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Photoperiodism

The ability of organisms to measure daylength and adjust behavior/physiology to seasonal changes.

Photoperiod measure

Nightly duration of melatonin secretion.