luciferase
/luːˈsɪfəreɪs/
noun
- An enzyme that produces light in living organisms, such as fireflies and some marine animals.
- Scientists use luciferase in laboratories to study how genes work.
- Fireflies glow because of a chemical reaction involving luciferase and oxygen.
- The deep-sea jellyfish produces luciferase to create a blue glow in the dark ocean.