The Benefits of Bioluminescent Plants
One of the hot topics in modern society is the study and appreciation of Bioluminescent plants. We've all seen the glowing green leaves of a profusion of moss along the edges of forest canopies. Many of us recognize daffodils with their blue-green iridescent foliage; or, perhaps, the striking blue-green spikes of Calendula, with their wafting tentacles. Even fungi command our attention with their fluorescent yellows and oranges that are characteristic of some species of the genus Mycoplasma. So, what are these creatures? The scientific community has only recently begun to truly appreciate the beauty of bioluminescent plants. The term "bioluminescent" (not "bioluminescent") refers to the ability of the plants to generate and emit light. There are typically four genes responsible for this process: the gene that produces the plant's chloroplast cells, the gene that produces the protein chlorophyll, and the genes that allow the photosynthesis of carbohydrates. T...