The chemical reaction
The scientists finally found the chemical reaction that produces the bioluminescence:
It
needs four elements: oxygen, luciferin, luciferase, and ATP, a substance
that can generate the necessary energy for the reaction.
The
oxygen produces the oxidation of the luciferin. Then, the luciferase speed
up the reaction, and with the
energy that gives the ATP, it produces that finally gives oxyluciferin and light.
The intensity of this light is so big, and lights up different parts of the animal’s bodies. The reaction is so quick (only one microsecond ) and is in a constant change. The composition of the luciferin and luciferase vary depends the animal that produces. It makes that could be different light colours, green to blue or red to amber.