What is Light? - Light in the Natural World

Can You Read a Book by the Light of a Firefly? (2)

Firefly light plays an important role in unexpected places. One example is genetic recombination. In order to verify whether DNA incorporating a newly inserted gene has properly entered a cell's nucleus, a gene that produces luciferase is also inserted. A dim glow produced by the application of luciferin is proof that the new gene has been properly incorporated.