A biochemist wants to use firefly luminescence reaction (see below) to determine

Question

A biochemist wants to use firefly luminescence reaction (see below) to determine the concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in samples that are important in her research project. Luciferin + ATP + O_2 wrightarrow PP_i + oxyluciferin + AMP + light (green, lembda_max = 560 nm) An instrument for measuring the emitted light is not available. Also, unfortunately, her research budget does not permit the purchase of a new commercial instrument. Therefore, she decided to buy the necessary components and, with the help of the departmental shop, construct an instrument. The device must yield good ATP measurements (through measurement of the emitted light), but need possess no capability for doing anything else. Provide a rough sketch showing the essential components of an instrument that would do the job.

Explanation / Answer

Luciferin concentration is directly proportional to ATP. An estimate of light released will give an estimate of concentration of ATP.

Even a water column will do your task. Just connect the resultant product to a water sample present on the surface of a petri dish. A measure of temperature of the water column will give an estimate of ATP produced.

A second way is to measure the luminescence. Take a colored paper, and allow the light to fall on that paper. Greater the shining observed, greater will be the ATP produced.

For quantitative analysis, luminometer is required. A colorimeter can also be used.

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