Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a
living organism. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine
vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi,
microorganisms and terrestrial invertebrates. Some Symbiotic
organisms carried within larger organisms produce light.
Bioluminescence is a form of luminescence, or "cold light"
emission by living organisms; less than 20% of the light
generates thermal radiation. It should not be confused with
iridescence, structural coloration, phosphorescence.
Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence where light
energy is released by a chemical reaction. Fireflies,
anglerfish, and other creatures produce the chemicals luciferin
(a pigment) and luciferase (an enzyme). The luciferin reacts
with oxygen to create light. The luciferase acts as a catalyst
to speed up the reaction, which is sometimes mediated by
cofactors such as calcium ions or ATP. The chemical reaction can
occur either inside or outside the cell. In bacteria, the
expression of genes r