photinus pyralis

3 definitions found

photinus pyralis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Luciferin \Lu*cif"er*in\ (l[=oo]*s[i^]f"[~e]r*[i^]n), n.
     (Biochem.)
     any of several substances found in luminescent organisms
     (such as the firefly, Photinus pyralis) which, when
     oxidized, produces an almost heatless light. It was first
     isolated from fireflies, and is the source of the firefly
     luminescence. See also firefly luciferin
     [PJC]

  Firefly \Fire"fly`\, n.; pl. Fireflies. (Zool.)
     Any luminous winged insect, esp. luminous beetles of the
     family Lampyrid[ae].
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The common American species belong to the genera
           Photinus (especially Photinus pyralis) and
           Photuris, in which both sexes are winged. The name is
           also applied to luminous species of Elaterid[ae]. See
           Fire beetle.
           [1913 Webster +PJC]

  Firefly luciferin \Fire"fly` lu*cif"er*in\, n. (Biochem.)
     a type of luciferin produced by the firefly Photinus pyralis
     .
  
     Note: Its structure has been elucidated, and chemically it is
           recognized as
  
           4,5-Dihydro-2-(6-hydroxy-2-benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-thiazolecarboxylic
           acid, C11H8N3O2S2. It has found use in a very
           sensitive assay for ATP, in which concentrations of ATP
           as low as 10^-11 molar can be detected. --[MI11]
           [PJC]