Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence that occurs in living organisms (4). Many organisms use this process for mating, schooling, camouflage, and hunting (8). These luminescent species lurk in marine habitats, in the air, and as terrestrial bacteria. Many marine sea creatures use bioluminescence. Some groups of animals, however, do not have any luminescent species. These groups include mammals, vertebras (not including fish), higher plants, and viruses. In labs, scientists have created luminescent versions of these animal groups by recombinant technology (4). Some scientists believe that the some species are able to be luminescent by eating other luminescent organisms (4).
On a larger scale, the reaction in bioluminescence is simple. A chemical substrate called luciferin, when catalyzed by luciferase, reacts with oxygen to produce oxyluciferin in an exited state. This product of the exothermic reaction is excited and releases a photon, or light! This reaction occurs in many sea creatures. Some of the key components are naturally produced in the organism or ingested. This basic reaction appears in variations across the many bioluminescent species (1).
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