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They glow due to a chemical reaction in their body. The link at the bottom of this page will take you to a good article on fireflies.

check out the link bellow:)

Fireflies glow because they have different chemicals in their bodies. When combined, there's a chemical reaction and they glow.

To be more specific, cells in the firefly's abdomen produce luciferin and that creates luciferase, an enzyme. The luciferin combines with oxygen and forms oxyluciferin, which is inactive, but luciferase speeds up the reactions. Luciferin combines with ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and luciferyl adenylate and PP(pyrophosphate) are produced.

Oxygen and luciferyl adenylate mix to produce oxyluciferin and AMP (adenosine monophosphate). Finally, it starts to glow.

There are also uric acid crystals produced by the abdominal cells that help the light reflect away.

Read more: How_do_fireflies_glow

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10y ago
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12y ago

In the end of the fire flies are chemicals that react with each other. They make a glow that the lightning bugs use to attract mates. Unlike light, which is warm, the fire flies create cold light. Weird. Females can't fly, but males can and they both create the glow you see in the evening.

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15y ago

A firefly glows by using bioluminescence. This happens when a chemical reaction causes chemical energy to be converted to light energy. This glow helps the firefly attract mates.

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9y ago

An enzyme, known as luciferase, breaks down ATP. This causes the body to release energy stored in its bonds to produce a photon of light, making their body glow.

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13y ago

check out the link below:)

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13y ago

there is a bacteria in its abdomen

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14y ago

luciferase

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Q: What makes fireflies and glow worms luminescent?
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Related questions

What are other names for fireflies?

lightning bugs, glow worms, or luciérnaga


What does fireflies Mean?

Fireflies, also called lightning bugs, are members of a family of about 1100 species of luminescent beetles.


What insects sends out flashes of light?

"Fireflies" ("lightning bugs" / "glow worms") do, in order to attract the ladies.It works for them.


How do fireflies make their bellies glow?

Fireflies make their bellies glow by combining certain chemicals that make a "glow" in their bellies. This glow is used to communicate to other fireflies.


Do fireflies glow because of electricity?

fireflies glow bacause of a chemical in it's body


What makes fireflies and glowworms luminescent?

Glow worms are worms that usually live in caves. They have a type of bacteria that "glows". That allows their behind to glow. A glow worm uses its "glow" to catch insects. Hunting Glow worms make something like a spider web made of mucus. They climb to the top of the cave and just let down several strings of mucus. At the tip of each one, it places some bacteria that glows. Then, it climbs into a "bed" made of mucus and waits. The caves insects, being attracted to the blueish glow, fly to it and get stuck into the slimy mucus. The glow worm "reels" in its prey and devours it.


Are fireflies detrivores?

The larvae are detritivores, the males are pollen eaters and the females also known as glow worms are predators who lure and eat males of other species of fireflies. Hope this is a good enough


Fireflies glow to avoid?

Fireflies glow for two reasons. One reason they glow is to avoid predators. Another reason they glow is to attract a mate.


Are fire flies really called lightning bugs?

Yes, and the larva are referred to as glow worms. Not all lightning bugs produce light but all larva do and this light is one of the most efficient in producing energy with very little waste. The light is thought to attract mates but can also be used to attract other lightning bugs and the one will eat the other.


What type of chemicals do fireflies use to glow?

fireflies produce some chemical reactions inside their body and that will allow them to light up and this process is known as bio luminescence. When oxygen combines with calcium,adenosine triphosphate and chemical luciferin in the presence of luciferase, a bio luminescent enzyme is produced.


Does radium glow?

Radium is luminescent, with a blue colour.


What are three luminescent objects?

1. Glow sticks 2. Luminescent paint 3.Digital car clocks