'Photinus pyralis' definitions:
Definition of 'Photinus pyralis'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Definition of 'Photinus pyralis'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Definition of 'Photinus pyralis'
From: GCIDE
- 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]