Back to Bioluminescence
Grades 6-8

Student Investigation: Bioluminescence – An Adaptation for Deep-sea Survival

Grade Level:

6th – 8th grade (Life Science/Adaptations)

Lesson Description:

Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence, which is the production of visible light by a chemical reaction. Scientists call the process bioluminescence when the reaction occurs in living organisms.

It is estimated that more than 75% of animals that live in the water column in the open ocean are bioluminescent. In this investigation, students explore several organisms with various adaptations that produce light, theorize how these adaptations aid the organisms’ survival, and make sense of the phenomenon “why do many deep-sea organisms glow in the dark?”

Lesson Components:

Standards:

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 

  • Performance Expectation: MS-LS1-4, MS-LS2-2
  • Disciplinary Core Ideas: LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms, LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships and Ecosystemsn

Ocean Literacy Essential Principles: 

  • Principle 5: FC d
  • Principle 7: FC d

Supporting Images/Videos:

The enzyme, luciferase, helps bond together the substrate, luciferin, and oxygen. The reaction creates the products oxyluciferin and light. The enzyme is recycled after the reaction, and can be used again.

Bioluminescence Chemical Reaction. The enzyme, luciferase, helps bond together the substrate, luciferin, and oxygen. The reaction creates the products oxyluciferin and light. The enzyme is recycled after the reaction, and can be used again. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration.
Download. (jpg, 180 KB)

Supplemental Materials:

Fact Sheets

Exploration Notes – stories from the field