Knowra Biophoton Biophoton A biophoton is an ultraweak photon emitted by living tissue through biochemical and cellular processes. Its emission is distinct from the strong light produced by specialized organs such as firefly lanterns.
Reactive oxygen species : Chemically reactive oxygen-containing molecules formed in cells, including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Oxidative reactions can create electronically excited molecules that release photons as they return to lower-energy states.
Photon : The quantum of electromagnetic radiation, carrying energy and momentum. A biophoton is a photon distinguished by its biological source, not a different kind of particle.
Photon counting : A measurement technique that records individual detected photons rather than measuring average light intensity. It quantifies the sparse photon arrivals characteristic of ultraweak biological emissions.
Biophoton communication : The hypothesis that ultraweak light emitted by cells or organisms conveys information between them. Whether emitted photons function as biological signals, rather than by-products, remains unestablished.
Lipid peroxidation : A chain reaction in which reactive molecules oxidize lipids, especially those in cell membranes. Its oxidation products can become electronically excited and contribute to ultraweak photon emission.
Ultraweak photon emission : Extremely faint spontaneous light emission from biological material, generally associated with oxidative metabolism. This is the broader measured phenomenon of which biophoton emissions are instances.
Oxidative stress : A condition in which oxidant production exceeds the capacity of biological antioxidant defenses. Changes in oxidative chemistry can alter emission intensity, making it a proposed research indicator.
Quantum biology : The study of quantum effects proposed to influence biological processes. Biophoton theories sometimes invoke quantum mechanisms whose biological roles require independent evidence.
Chemiluminescence : Light emitted when a chemical reaction produces electronically excited molecules or atoms. Biophoton emission is a living-system case of light generated by chemical reactions.
Bioluminescence : Light produced by organisms through biochemical reactions, often using specialized enzymes and substrates. Bioluminescence is conspicuous, adapted light production; biophoton emission is typically far weaker and incidental.
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