Firefly luciferases catalyze bioluminescence with varying efficiencies; if a luciferase variant produces fewer photons per ATP molecule consumed, which consequence follows?

💡 Explanation

Lower photon output relative to ATP input defines a lower quantum yield in bioluminescence, because quantum yield measures efficiency. Therefore, decreased photon production directly reflects reduced efficiency, rather than affecting substrate binding or enzyme turnover, which are separate kinetic parameters.

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