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Fireflies are a group of insects that possess a lantern organ composed of numerous light-producing cells (photocytes) in their abdomens. The light is produced by a chemical reaction involving the light-emitting organic compound luciferin. In each photocyte, luciferin is activated in an ATP-dependent reaction that is catalyzed by the enzyme luciferase. In the presence of oxygen, the activated luciferin emits light as it is converted to oxyluciferin. The flashes of light are controlled by neurons that innervate the lantern organ. Activated neurons stimulate the release of nitric oxide (NO), an inhibitor of the electron transport chain.

Required:
Identify the main source of the ATP used for activating luciferin


Sagot :

Answer:

The main source of the ATP used for activating luciferin are the mitochondria of the Photosite cells.

Explanation:

Fireflies are organisms that emit cold light by the process of bioluminescence. It is a chemical reaction of male individuals to attract the females that also respond by emitting light.

Luciferin is the molecule responsible for light emission. The chemical reaction involves the luciferin molecule, ATP molecule, enzyme luciferase, and oxygen molecule. Luciferin, the responsible molecule for light emission, is transformed into oxyluciferin by the enzyme luciferase. The enzyme consumes oxygen and ATP, which is the principal source of energy in living beings. Finally, a light of about 560 nm is released.

luciferin + ATP + luciferase + O₂ → oxyluciferin + AMP + CO₂+ luciferase + light

Almost the entire amount of energy involved in the reaction turns into luminous energy. ATP used for this light production process comes from the photosite´s mitochondrial electronic chain, responsible for the organism´s energy production.

Photosites are the cells responsible for light production, and many of their mitochondria are placed near the plasmatic membrane to catch oxygen.

Oxygen gets in the organisms through the lantern trachea. During the respiration process, photosites consume oxygen. Mitochondria placed in the cell periphery near the cell membrane catch the oxygen molecules and produce ATP. ATP produced by oxidative phosphorylation is involved in the production of oxyluciferin, turning into AMP.

Posteriorly, the oxyluciferin molecule is recycled back to luciferin. This process shows how chemical energy turns into luminous energy.

ATP comes from the breakdown of glucose in mitochondria of the cell in the process of aerobic respiration.

The main source of ATP that is used for the activation of luciferin comes from the breakdown of glucose molecules in the mitochondria which is also known as powerhouse of the cell. The fireflies or other insects do aerobic respiration which is responsible for the production of ATP molecules in the presence of oxygen.

A chemical reaction that occur inside fireflies enables them to light up through a process called bioluminescence. A glow is emitted when oxygen, calcium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and luciferin pigments combines in the presence of the enzyme luciferase so we can conclude that ATP comes from the breakdown of glucose in mitochondria of the cell in the process of aerobic respiration.

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