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Biomagnetism
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Species: One of the largest unicellular organisms in the animal kingdom, including Noctiluca miliaris and Noctiluca scintillans. Physics Application(s) Overview: Bioluminescence Species distinctions: Noctiluca:
Habits, physical and social structures: The Noctiluca is a marine dinoflagellate, a tiny microorganism of spherical shape (measured in micrometers or millimeters), covered in thick skin with an oral pouch, one flagellum, one tooth, and one tentacle. It feeds on microorganisms smaller than itself, including phytoplankton and zooplankton, and ingests the food by use of a buccal orifice, where indigestible parts are rejected. Noctiluca are motionless as the flagellum is unable to propel their body through the water: the only movement is found in rotation of vertical position via control of buoyancy in the cell. Physics Application(s): Bioluminescence: Of the dinoflagellates, approximately 1 to 2% are known to be bioluminescent, where most noctiluca are known to be bioluminescent. The noctiluca produces small flashes of light through the stimulus produced by water movement, which explains why noctiluca shine only when water is agitated. One infinitesimal noctiluca cannot produce a light large enough to be perceived by the optical apparatus however, noctiluca live in large, compact masses which is responsible for the pink or red - even green or blue- tinge seen in the sea, particularly in tides. The colour occurs when the congregation of noctiluca luminesce simultaneously as a result of similar vertical positions. The light produced may serve as an defense mechanism, where those who feed on bioluminescent organisms would make the predator bioluminescent as well, and therefore easily caught- a selective disadvantage.
Anemaw [Animal Electromagnetism and Waves] © Elizabeth Gerrow 2002 . |
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