noctilucine
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Latin nox (“night”) + lux (“light”) + -ine. Term coined by British scientist Thomas Lamb Phipson (1833–1908). It appeared first in his article On noctilucine, the phosphorescent principle of luminous animals, published in The chemical new, vol. 32, no. 832, on November 5, 1875.
Noun edit
noctilucine (uncountable)
- (biochemistry) A nitrogenous substance in fireflies, glowworms and marine animals, once believed to be responsible for their luminescence.
Usage notes edit
- The bioluminescence is now known to be caused by the action of the enzyme luciferase acting on luciferin.
Translations edit
substance once believed to be responsible for the bioluminescence
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