Explanation: Fireflies produce a chemical reaction inside their bodies that allows them to light up. This type of light production is called bioluminescence. The method by which fireflies produce light is perhaps the best known example of bioluminescence. When oxygen combines with calcium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the chemical luciferin in the presence of luciferase, a bioluminescent enzyme, light is produced. Unlike a light bulb, which produces a lot of heat in addition to light, a firefly's light is "cold light" without a lot of energy being lost as heat. This is necessary because if a firefly's light-producing organ got as hot as a light bulb, the firefly would not survive the experience.
A firefly controls the beginning and end of the chemical reaction, and thus the start and stop of its light emission, by adding oxygen to the other chemicals needed to produce light. This happens in the insect's light organ. When oxygen is available, the light organ lights up, and when it is not available, the light goes out. Insects do not have lungs, but instead transport oxygen from outside the body to the interior cells within through a complex series of successively smaller tubes known as tracheoles. For a long time it was a mystery as to how some firefly species manage such a high flash rate, considering the relatively slow speed of the muscles that control oxygen transport. Researchers fairly recently learned that nitric oxide gas (the same gas that is produced by taking the d rug Viagra) plays a critical role in firefly flash control. In short, when the firefly light is ¿off," no nitric oxide is being produced. In this situation, oxygen that enters the light organ is bound to the surface of the cell's energy-producing organelles, called the Mitrochondria, and is thereby not available for transport further within the light organ. The presence of nitric oxide, which binds to the mitochondria, allows oxygen to flow into the light organ where it combines with the other chemicals needed to produce the bioluminescent reaction. Because nitric oxide breaks down very quickly, as soon as the chemical is no longer being produced, the oxygen molecules are again trapped by the mitochondria and are not available for the production of light.
Fireflies appear to light up for a variety of reasons. The larvae produce short glows and are primarily active at night, even though many species are subterranean or semi-aquatic. Fireflies produce defensive steroids in their bodies that make them unpalatable to predators. Larvae use their glows as warning displays to communicate their distastefulness. As adults, many fireflies have flash patterns unique to their species and use them to identify other members of their species as well as to discriminate between members of the opposite s e x. Several studies have shown that female fireflies choose mates depending upon specific male flash pattern characteristics. Higher male flash rates, as well as increased flash intensity, have been shown to be more attractive to females in two different firefly species.
I found this info if this is what you need link http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_functional_groups_of_amino_acids
Two functional groups are found in all amino acids. These functional groups are the
amino group
(-NH2) and the
carboxyl group
(-COOH). The hydrogen atom of the carboxyl group can be broken off quite easily; this gives amino acids their acidic properties.
Function of amino acids?
Heat and Energy, Growth, To defend against disease, and to Repair bodily cells are the functions of amino acids/ proteins.
Amino acids contain a carboxyl group?
Yes, amino acids contain: 1) an amino group (-NH 2 ) 2) a central carbon and variable side group 3) a carboxyl group (-COOH)
What is the function of amino acids?
Amino acids are nitrogen-containing molecules that serve vitalfunctions in your body. Twenty-two amino acids occur in nature, and20 of these are incorporated into proteins and other moleculeswithin the cells and tissues of plants and animals. According toscientists at the University of Arizona, your body can synthesize10 of the amino acids you need, while the other 10 must be acquiredfrom your diet. Amino acids that cannot be produced within yourcells are called essential amino acids. http://www.livestrong.com/article/426255-what-is-the-function-of-amino-acids-in-the-human-body/
What is the amino group on an amino acid?
The amino group is present at one end of the amino acid and is represented by the chemical formula NH 3 The region on the amino acid that contains the amino group is called the amino terminal
Amino acid function?
Amino acids are basically known as the building blocks of protein.The function of an amino acid is primarily to build proteins.
<span>The cell membrane acts as the gatekeeper of the cell, determining what goes in and out.</span>
Answer:
p represents the frequency of the dominant allele (in decimal form) of a gene
q represents the frequency of the recessive allele (in decimal form) of a gene
These 2 alleles are different; one is dominant, one is recessive.
p^2 = the frequency of homozygous dominant individuals in the population (decimal form)
2pq = the frequency of heterozygous individuals in the population (decimal form)
q^2 = the frequency of homozygous recessive in the population (decimal form)
Inhaling through the nose
