Listen&Learn: Bioluminescence

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn about creatures that can produce light.

Pre-listening vocabulary

• phenomenon: something that happens naturally
• organism: a living being
• marine: relating to the ocean
• predator: an animal that hunts other animals
• attract: to draw someone’s attention
• navigate: to find a way around an area

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Bioluminescence is a phenomenon that creates displays of in nature. It can often be seen in . This light is actually created by organisms in the . Certain marine animals have a chemical in their bodies called luciferin, which reacts with oxygen and produces light. Some organisms use bioluminescence to scare away predators, while others use it to attract mates. Bioluminescence is especially common in water, because it allows organisms to navigate and in the dark. However, marine animals are not the only organisms that can produce light. Fireflies are bioluminescent insects that can be found on almost every continent.

Comprehension questions

1. Bioluminescence is often seen in

oceans

lakes

deserts

Correct! Wrong!

Bioluminescence is often seen in oceans.

2. When organisms produce light, the chemical luciferin reacts with

nitrogen

oxygen

carbon dioxide

Correct! Wrong!

When organisms produce light, the chemical luciferin reacts with oxygen.

3. Bioluminescence is common in deep water because

marine animals are the only organisms that can produce light

it is useful for navigation and communication in the dark

there is more luciferin in deep water

Correct! Wrong!

Bioluminescence is common in deep water because it is useful for navigation and communication in the dark.

Discussion/essay questions

1. Have you ever seen bioluminescent creatures in real life?

Transcript

Bioluminescence is a phenomenon that creates displays of light in nature. It can often be seen in oceans. This light is actually created by organisms in the environment. Certain marine animals have a chemical in their bodies called luciferin, which reacts with oxygen and produces light. Some organisms use bioluminescence to scare away predators, while others use it to attract mates. Bioluminescence is especially common in deep water, because it allows organisms to navigate and communicate in the dark. However, marine animals are not the only organisms that can produce light. Fireflies are bioluminescent insects that can be found on almost every continent.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

© EnglishClub.com

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20 comments

• Taner AYDIN says:
  

  Thank you for educutive and useful informations to learn English and organisms that can produce light

• Musa Yunusa says:
  

  Very educative and perfectly presented.

• Pushpa Pathirana says:
  

  Thank You

• Sang says:
  

  Thank you for your lesson.

• Srinivasa Murthy Bhamidipati says:
  

  it helps both learning English as well as science

• Saira Bashir says:
  

  Excellent

• YONGHONG WU says:
  

  perfect ,thank you very much .

• Maha says:
  

  Perfect

• SIRADIO says:
  

  I like the way you do the lessons

• maria sheryl diendo says:
  

  Informative and easy to conprehend!

• Relson Bana says:
  

  Informative and very relevant

• FAHRETTİN ERBİL KUTLU says:
  

  I’m very very neophyte. (=-)

• Guglielmo Centini says:
  

  Very interesting expalnation and easy to understand .
  Thank you

• Aunreun says:
  

  Thank you.

• The King Of Love From IRAN says:
  

  Thank you for sharing it with us, but it was a bit difficult for understanding!

• Reza says:
  

  thank you, I learned a little about bioluminescence.

• CHRISTINE PENNEC says:
  

  Thank you. Excellent.

• Bahman says:
  

  Scientific and excellent

• Amerrico says:
  

  Excellent!

• Ramisarivo Mamy says:
  

  Thank you.