十万个为什么·科学启蒙30篇（1）
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How Do Fireflies Make Light Without Heat?
萤火虫是如何不发热地发光的？
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Fireflies produce light through a safe chemical reaction inside their bodies.萤火虫通过体内安全的化学反应发光。
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A substance called luciferin reacts with oxygen and an enzyme named luciferase.一种叫荧光素的物质与氧气及名为荧光素酶的酶发生反应。
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This reaction releases energy almost entirely as visible light, not heat.该反应释放的能量几乎全部以可见光形式释放，而非热量。
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Because little heat is made, scientists call it 'cold light' or bioluminescence.由于产热极少，科学家称之为‘冷光’或生物发光。
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Each firefly species has its own flash pattern to attract mates at night.每种萤火虫都有独特的闪光模式，用于夜间吸引配偶。
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Temperature affects flash speed—warmer nights mean faster, brighter flashes.温度影响闪光速度——夜晚越暖，闪光越快、越亮。
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Some firefly larvae and deep-sea creatures also glow using similar chemistry.一些萤火虫幼虫和深海生物也利用类似的化学反应发光。
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Researchers study firefly genes to develop safer medical imaging tools.研究人员研究萤火虫基因，以开发更安全的医学成像工具。
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Humans cannot make luciferin naturally, but we copy the process in labs.人类无法天然合成荧光素，但可在实验室中模拟这一过程。
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This natural light helps scientists track cell activity without harming living tissue.这种自然光帮助科学家追踪活体细胞活动，且不损伤组织。