How Do Fireflies Light Up and Which Creatures Glow in the Dark?

Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Have you ever seen fireflies glowing throughout a forest or field? God created a whole host of creatures that glow in the dark! Today we're exploring:

• What is bioluminescence?
• What creatures glow in the dark?
• How do fireflies light up?
• How do we shine God’s light?

Episode Links:

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Scriptures in Today's Episode:

“It is by faith we understand that the whole world was made by God’s command so what we see was made by something that cannot be seen.” Hebrews 11:3

“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

“God once said, ‘Let the light shine out of the darkness!’ This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

“You are the light that gives light to the world… And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12

Terms Learned in Today's Episode:

bārā’ (baw-raw): Hebrew word for God’s special creativity

Bioluminescence: light that comes from living creatures

Photobacterium: Bacteria (tiny creatures) that produce living light

Twilight Zone: 650 - 3,300 feet deep in the ocean where sunlight doesn’t reach

Luciferin: Molecule used in bioluminescence

Luciferase: Enzyme that breaks down the Luciferin molecule to create living light

Lampyridae: Family or category of beetles, most which emit living light (Bioluminescence)

Glowworm: Larva (juvenile) form of fireflies

Thank you to the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) for their very helpful podcast episode on Living Light, which we used in researching for today's lesson! https://youtu.be/_nENsJLm2E8?si=RFvzjuCRp0V2tuFc

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com