Photophore

A photophore is a specialized light-producing organ found in certain animals. It produces light through bioluminescent chemistry, often with structures that shape or control its display.

Bioluminescence: The production and emission of light by living organisms through chemical reactions. Photophores are anatomical structures in which bioluminescence is produced or displayed.
Photocyte: A specialized cell that produces light in a bioluminescent organism. Photocytes form the light-producing core of many photophores.
Counterillumination: Camouflage that matches an animal's ventral light to downwelling light, reducing its silhouette. Ventral photophores help open-water animals conceal themselves from predators below.
Bacterial bioluminescence: Light production by bacteria through luciferase-catalyzed chemical reactions. Bacterial light can illuminate host organs, unlike light made solely by animal photocytes.
Luciferin: A light-emitting substrate oxidized during bioluminescent reactions. Many photophores generate light when luciferin reacts with oxygen.
Photophore reflector: A reflective tissue layer that directs light from an animal's photophore. Reflective tissue helps shape a photophore's output rather than merely producing it.
Anglerfish: A group of deep-sea fishes whose females often bear a modified dorsal spine used as a lure. Some anglerfish use a luminous esca, which can contain photophores, to attract prey.
Light organ (animal): An anatomical structure in an animal associated with producing, housing, or displaying light. Photophore names a specialized kind of animal light organ.
Luciferase: An enzyme that catalyzes a light-producing oxidation reaction involving luciferin. Luciferase can drive the chemical reaction inside a photophore.
Photophore lens: A transparent optical structure that focuses or shapes light from a photophore. Its position over light-producing tissue can focus the organ's emission.

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