luciferin

American  

[loo-sif-er-in] / luˈsɪf ər ɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a pigment occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as fireflies, that emits light when undergoing oxidation.

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luciferin British  

/ luːˈsɪfərɪn /

noun

1. biochem a substance occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as glow-worms and fireflies. It undergoes an enzyme-catalysed oxidation and emits light on decaying to its ground state

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Etymology

Origin of luciferin

First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin lūcifer ( see Lucifer) + -in ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

luciferin

Both sets of organisms stabilize luciferin by adding sulfur to its chemical structure, even though the sulfur-adding proteins are very different, she has found.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 24, 2022

The team say that is important as the process involves a luciferin produced from a chemical that is naturally present in plants – caffeic acid.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 27, 2020

Like many bioluminescent animals their light is created by a reaction between the light-emitting molecule luciferin and the enzyme luciferase.

From National Geographic ● Jun. 30, 2018

When the cell is jostled — for instance, by a breaking wave or a fish swimming by — the bags burst open, and the luciferin and luciferase mix, creating a flash of bluish light.

From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2011

“There’s remnant luciferin on this plant life,” I say, telling the truth.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera