Bioluminescence

Two chemicals are required for bioluminescence: "luciferin", which produces the light, and the catalyst- "luciferase." They produce oxyluciferin, which is used to produce a glow.

The luciferase catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin,resulting in light and an inactive "oxyluciferin".Fresh luciferin must then be brought into the system (through diet or internal synthesis).

Bioluminescence refers to the production and emission of light by an organism

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Aristotle & Pliny the Elderknew damp woodemitted a glow- centuries later,Robert Boyleshowed oxygen was involved.

Bioluminescence differs from "fluorescence" and "phosphorescence". In bioluminescence, the excitation energy comes from a chemical reaction, rather than a source of light.

Bioluminescence is a subdivision of chemiluminescence.