Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is light produced by a living organism through a chemical reaction inside its own body.
Full definition of Bioluminescence →:: COMPARE ::
BioluminescencevsFluorescence
The short answer
Bioluminescence generates its own photons chemically and works in total darkness. Fluorescence merely absorbs incoming light and re-emits it at a longer wavelength, so it needs an external source. Most 'glowing coral' photographs are fluorescence, not bioluminescence.
Side by side
| Aspect | Bioluminescence | Fluorescence |
|---|---|---|
| Needs a light source | No | Yes |
| Works in the dark | Yes | No |
| Energy from | Chemistry | Incoming light |
| Coral photos | Rarely | Usually |
What each one means
Fluorescence
The contrast above sets out how Fluorescence differs from Bioluminescence on the points that actually matter.