Bioelectric Control of Bioluminescence in the Dinoflagellate Noctiluca . II. Asynchronous Flash Initiation by a Propagated Triggering Potential

The action potential of Noctiluca miliaris is conducted over the cell, triggering luminescent cytoplasmic organelles as it propagates away from the stimulus site. Local light emission follows local active current with a latency of 1 to 3 milliseconds. Whereas bioluminescence normally occurs over this cell with an advancing front of emission, it can be initiated synchronously by electrical stimulation of the entire cell.