Why do some jellyfish glow?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Attracting prey or mates
Absorbing moonlight energy — Wrong. Jellyfish don't absorb moonlight for energy. They generate their own light through chemical reactions in specialized cells.
Warming up cold water — Wrong. Light production doesn't generate significant heat. Bioluminescence is 'cold light'—nearly 100% of energy becomes light, not heat.
Attracting prey or mates ✓ — Correct! Bioluminescent jellyfish produce light through chemical reactions (luciferase enzyme + luciferin). They use it to attract small prey, startle predators, or communicate with other jellyfish. Some deep-sea species use glowing lures to catch prey in pitch-black waters!
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