Bioluminescence Is Cool: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}} |
{{trope}} |
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[[File:Bioluminescence 3731.jpg|link=Avatar (film)|frame|Pretty, isn't it?]] |
[[File:Bioluminescence 3731.jpg|link=Avatar (film)|frame|Pretty, isn't it?]] |
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== [[Film]] == |
== [[Film]] == |
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* ''[[Avatar (film)|Avatar]]'': Most lifeforms on Pandora, including much of the vegetation, have bioluminescent cells. The Na'vi have them as markings that form lines, which according to the background serve as a means of identification. Most plants, along with small animals, have a '''lot''' of bioluminescence, with larger animals and trees having less, although everything seems to have at least some. |
* ''[[Avatar (film)|Avatar]]'': Most lifeforms on Pandora, including much of the vegetation, have bioluminescent cells. The Na'vi have them as markings that form lines, which according to the background serve as a means of identification. Most plants, along with small animals, have a '''lot''' of bioluminescence, with larger animals and trees having less, although everything seems to have at least some. |
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* The aliens from ''[[The Abyss]]''. |
* The aliens from ''[[The Abyss]]''. |
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* [[Justified Trope|Justified]] in ''[[Pitch Black]]'' due to the [[Bizarre Alien Biology]] of the light-sensitive monsters that eat everything else on the planet [[Fridge Logic|during every eclipse]]. {{spoiler|The glow-worms end up saving the lives of the survivors.}} |
* [[Justified Trope|Justified]] in ''[[Pitch Black]]'' due to the [[Bizarre Alien Biology]] of the light-sensitive monsters that eat everything else on the planet [[Fridge Logic|during every eclipse]]. {{spoiler|The glow-worms end up saving the lives of the survivors.}} |
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* The aliens from ''[[Monsters (2010 film)|Monsters]]''. |
* The aliens from ''[[Monsters (2010 film)|Monsters]]''. |
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* The Moorwens from ''[[Outlander (film)|Outlander]]''. |
* The Moorwens from ''[[Outlander (film)|Outlander]]''. |
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== [[Literature]] == |
== [[Literature]] == |
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* In ''[[Kraken (novel)|Kraken]]'', the Krakenists believe that after they die, they become bioluminescent cells on the body of the squid god. |
* In ''[[Kraken (novel)|Kraken]]'', the Krakenists believe that after they die, they become bioluminescent cells on the body of the squid god. |
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* In "[[Dark Life]]" by Kat Falls people who live on the bottom of the ocean for extended periods of time often develop a bioluminescent shine from eating certain species of fish. |
* In "[[Dark Life]]" by Kat Falls people who live on the bottom of the ocean for extended periods of time often develop a bioluminescent shine from eating certain species of fish. |
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* [[Wayne Barlowe]] seems to like this trope, given that he was a creature designer for ''[[Avatar (film)|Avatar]]'' and he wrote and illustrated ''Expedition'', the book that ''[http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/alienplanet/splash.html Alien Planet]'' was based on. |
* [[Wayne Barlowe]] seems to like this trope, given that he was a creature designer for ''[[Avatar (film)|Avatar]]'' and he wrote and illustrated ''Expedition'', the book that ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130307143149/http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/alienplanet/splash.html Alien Planet]'' was based on. |
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== [[Live Action TV]] == |
== [[Live Action TV]] == |
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* ''[http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/alienplanet/splash.html Darwin IV]'': Several of the alien species on the planet. |
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130307143149/http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/alienplanet/splash.html Darwin IV]'': Several of the alien species on the planet. |
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* ''[[The Future Is Wild]]'' |
* ''[[The Future Is Wild]]'' |
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* ''[[The Most Extreme]]'' had the episode "Night Lights", which was all about finding [[Badass|the most extreme]] bioluminscent creature. {{spoiler|The female [[Alluring Anglerfish|angler fish]] won}} |
* ''[[The Most Extreme]]'' had the episode "Night Lights", which was all about finding [[Badass|the most extreme]] bioluminscent creature. {{spoiler|The female [[Alluring Anglerfish|angler fish]] won}} |
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* During a brief period of unemployment, Sheldon from [[The Big Bang Theory]] mentions trying to engineer some bioluminescent goldfish (specifically to serve as an energy efficient pet/nightlight). It doesn't really come up again after a throw-away gag at the end of the episode, but he was successful in creating at least one. |
* During a brief period of unemployment, Sheldon from [[The Big Bang Theory]] mentions trying to engineer some bioluminescent goldfish (specifically to serve as an energy efficient pet/nightlight). It doesn't really come up again after a throw-away gag at the end of the episode, but he was successful in creating at least one. |
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== [[Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] == |
== [[Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] == |
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* Usually in any [[Dungeons |
* Usually in any [[Dungeons & Dragons|dungeon crawl]] situation, there are caves that have bioluminescent moss or lichen growing on the walls/floors. |
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== [[Video Games]] == |
== [[Video Games]] == |
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* The hanar race from ''[[Mass Effect]]''. They communicate via patterns of bioluminescence. |
* The hanar race from ''[[Mass Effect]]''. They communicate via patterns of bioluminescence. |
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** As do the Underlost from ''[[Septerra Core]]''. That said, most of Shell 7 is covered with bioluminescent plants/fungi, serving as the primary source of light IN that layer. |
** As do the Underlost from ''[[Septerra Core]]''. That said, most of Shell 7 is covered with bioluminescent plants/fungi, serving as the primary source of light IN that layer. |
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* The Macalania Woods in ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''. |
* The Macalania Woods in ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''. |
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* Definitely noticeable in ''[[Star Fox Adventures]]'', which is arguably similar to ''[[Avatar (film)|Avatar]]'' in its visuals. |
* Definitely noticeable in ''[[Star Fox Adventures]]'', which is arguably similar to ''[[Avatar (film)|Avatar]]'' in its visuals. |
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* The Slylandro in ''[[Star Control II]]'' |
* The Slylandro in ''[[Star Control II]]'' |
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* [[Fungus Humongous|Zangarmarsh]] and [[Under the Sea|Vashj'ir]] in ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' |
* [[Fungus Humongous|Zangarmarsh]] and [[Under the Sea|Vashj'ir]] in ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' |
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== [[Real Life]] == |
== [[Real Life]] == |
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* The protein [[wikipedia:Luciferase|Luciferase]] and its relatives are the cause of natural bioluminescence, for example in fireflies. It has been put into other creatures to create glowing bacteria, etc. |
* The protein [[wikipedia:Luciferase|Luciferase]] and its relatives are the cause of natural bioluminescence, for example in fireflies. It has been put into other creatures to create glowing bacteria, etc. |
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** A more famous but unrelated protin is [[wikipedia:Green fluorescent protein|GFP]] (abbreviation for [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|"Green Fluorescent Protein"]]). Its derivatives have been established as common tools for scientific research. It's not true bioluminescence: the protein is merely fluorescent, so it only glows under a light source. |
** A more famous but unrelated protin is [[wikipedia:Green fluorescent protein|GFP]] (abbreviation for [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|"Green Fluorescent Protein"]]). Its derivatives have been established as common tools for scientific research. It's not true bioluminescence: the protein is merely fluorescent, so it only glows under a light source. |
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* Ravers and [[Cyber Goth|CyberGoths]] have a liking for glowsticks and clothes that imitate bioluminiscence. While it's definitely running off the [[Rule of Cool]], there's also a functional reason behind it: Supposedly, the glow from these sources have a soothing effect on the mind, reducing the chances for a [[Mushroom Samba|Bad Trip]]. Considering that these subcultures have a particular leaning towards psychedelic substances ... |
* Ravers and [[Cyber Goth|CyberGoths]] have a liking for glowsticks and clothes that imitate bioluminiscence. While it's definitely running off the [[Rule of Cool]], there's also a functional reason behind it: Supposedly, the glow from these sources have a soothing effect on the mind, reducing the chances for a [[Mushroom Samba|Bad Trip]]. Considering that these subcultures have a particular leaning towards psychedelic substances ... |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Speculative Fiction Tropes]] |
[[Category:Speculative Fiction Tropes]] |
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[[Category:Bioluminescence Is Cool]] |
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[[Category:Lighting Tropes]] |
[[Category:Lighting Tropes]] |
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[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] |
Latest revision as of 09:39, 3 September 2018
A Science Fiction trope: when writers think up alien lifeforms, there are several ways to make them cool, but nothing beats making them glow.
![](http://static.miraheze.org/allthetropeswiki/3/36/Bioluminescence_3731.jpg)
See also Power Glows, Fantastic Light Source and Alluring Anglerfish. Compare Tron Lines. Contrast Sickly Green Glow.
Examples of Bioluminescence Is Cool include:
Film
- Avatar: Most lifeforms on Pandora, including much of the vegetation, have bioluminescent cells. The Na'vi have them as markings that form lines, which according to the background serve as a means of identification. Most plants, along with small animals, have a lot of bioluminescence, with larger animals and trees having less, although everything seems to have at least some.
- The aliens from The Abyss.
- Justified in Pitch Black due to the Bizarre Alien Biology of the light-sensitive monsters that eat everything else on the planet during every eclipse. The glow-worms end up saving the lives of the survivors.
- The aliens from Monsters.
- The Moorwens from Outlander.
Literature
- In Kraken, the Krakenists believe that after they die, they become bioluminescent cells on the body of the squid god.
- In "Dark Life" by Kat Falls people who live on the bottom of the ocean for extended periods of time often develop a bioluminescent shine from eating certain species of fish.
- Wayne Barlowe seems to like this trope, given that he was a creature designer for Avatar and he wrote and illustrated Expedition, the book that Alien Planet was based on.
Live Action TV
- Darwin IV: Several of the alien species on the planet.
- The Future Is Wild
- The Most Extreme had the episode "Night Lights", which was all about finding the most extreme bioluminscent creature. The female angler fish won
- During a brief period of unemployment, Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory mentions trying to engineer some bioluminescent goldfish (specifically to serve as an energy efficient pet/nightlight). It doesn't really come up again after a throw-away gag at the end of the episode, but he was successful in creating at least one.
- In the Tracker pilot, Mel catches a glimpse of Cole glowing,something connected to his Cirronian nature and whatever he was doing in the bedroom at the time. (not *that*!)
Tabletop Roleplaying Games
- Usually in any dungeon crawl situation, there are caves that have bioluminescent moss or lichen growing on the walls/floors.
Video Games
- The hanar race from Mass Effect. They communicate via patterns of bioluminescence.
- As do the Underlost from Septerra Core. That said, most of Shell 7 is covered with bioluminescent plants/fungi, serving as the primary source of light IN that layer.
- The Macalania Woods in Final Fantasy X.
- Definitely noticeable in Star Fox Adventures, which is arguably similar to Avatar in its visuals.
- The Slylandro in Star Control II
- Zangarmarsh and Vashj'ir in World of Warcraft
- The Forest, and the creatures who live there in Crea Vures. Interestingly, the bioluminescence on the eponymous CreaVures also serves as a representation of your health (with it fading for a while if you're hit), and sometimes as an indication as to whether an aggressive animal is cowering or not (with theirs fading for a bit).
- Everything in the Deluded Depths. Even Alice's dress has an angler and glowing dots and stripes.
- Glowing Fungus in Fallout: New Vegas in multiple colours. Some are edible.
- In Terraria, you can find Blinkroot hidden underground, which does exactly what you'd think it does: Blinks. (Though only when it's blooming.) Also to be noted are tall Glowing Mushrooms, also found underground, and better for healing and potion-making than surface 'shrooms.
Western Animation
Real Life
- The protein Luciferase and its relatives are the cause of natural bioluminescence, for example in fireflies. It has been put into other creatures to create glowing bacteria, etc.
- A more famous but unrelated protin is GFP (abbreviation for "Green Fluorescent Protein"). Its derivatives have been established as common tools for scientific research. It's not true bioluminescence: the protein is merely fluorescent, so it only glows under a light source.
- Ravers and CyberGoths have a liking for glowsticks and clothes that imitate bioluminiscence. While it's definitely running off the Rule of Cool, there's also a functional reason behind it: Supposedly, the glow from these sources have a soothing effect on the mind, reducing the chances for a Bad Trip. Considering that these subcultures have a particular leaning towards psychedelic substances ...