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Bioluminescence Is Cool: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
[[File:Bioluminescence 3731.jpg|link=Avatar (film)|frame|Pretty, isn't it?]]
A [[Science Fiction]] trope: when writers think up alien lifeforms, there are several ways to make them cool, but nothing beats making them ''glow''. ▼
▲A [[Science Fiction]] trope: when writers think up alien lifeforms, there are several ways to make them cool, but nothing beats making them ''glow''.
See also [[Power Glows]], [[Fantastic Light Source]] and [[Alluring Anglerfish]]. Compare [[Tron Lines]]. Contrast [[Sickly Green Glow]]. ▼
▲See also [[Power Glows]], [[Fantastic Light Source]] and [[Alluring Anglerfish]]. Compare [[Tron Lines]]. Contrast [[Sickly Green Glow]].
{{examples}}
== [[Film]] ==
* ''[[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.
* The aliens from ''[[The Abyss]]''.
* [[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.}}
* The aliens from ''[[Monsters (2010 film)|Monsters]]''.
* The Moorwens from ''[[Outlander (film)|Outlander]]''.
== [[Literature]] ==
* In ''[[Kraken (novel)|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 (film)|Avatar]]'' and he wrote and illustrated ''Expedition'', the book that ''[http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/alienplanet/splash.html Alien Planet]'' was based on.
== [[Live Action TV]] ==
* ''[http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/alienplanet/splash.html 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 [[Badass|the most extreme]] bioluminscent creature. {{spoiler|The female [[Alluring Anglerfish|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.
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== [[Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] ==
* Usually in any [[Dungeons
== [[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 (film)|Avatar]]'' in its visuals.
* The Slylandro in ''[[Star Control II]]''
* [[Fungus Humongous|Zangarmarsh]] and [[Under the Sea|Vashj'ir]] in ''[[World of Warcraft]]''
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== [[Real Life]] ==
* 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.
** 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.
* 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}}
[[Category:Speculative Fiction Tropes]]
[[Category:Lighting Tropes]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
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