What is the Difference Between Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence

The key difference between chemiluminescence and bioluminescence is that chemiluminescence is the production and emission of light due to chemical reactions, while bioluminescence is the production and emission of light due to biochemical reactions by living organisms.

Luminescence is the phenomenon of the spontaneous emission of light by a substance. It is a form of cold body radiation. It can be a result of chemical reactions, electrical energy, subatomic motions, or stress on a crystal. There are different types of luminescence, including chemiluminescence, bioluminescence, electrochemiluminescence, lyoluminescence, candoluminescence, crystalloluminescence, electroluminescence, cathodoluminescence, mechanoluminescence, sonoluminescence, photoluminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, radioluminescence, thermoluminescence, and cryoluminescence.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Chemiluminescence
3. What is Bioluminescence
4. Similarities – Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence
5. Chemiluminescence vs Bioluminescence in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Chemiluminescence vs Bioluminescence

What is Chemiluminescence?

Chemiluminescence is defined as the light emitted as a result of a chemical reaction. Chemiluminescence is also known as chemoluminescence. In addition to light, heat may also be produced by a chemiluminescent reaction, which makes the reaction exothermic. A classic example of chemiluminescence is the luminol reaction demonstrated in chemistry. In this reaction, luminol reacts with H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) to release blue light. The amount of light released by this reaction is very low unless a small amount of a suitable catalyst is added. The typical catalyst for this chemiluminescent reaction is a small amount of iron or copper.

Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence - Side by Side Comparison

Figure 01: Chemiluminescence

Another good example of chemiluminescence is the reaction that normally occurs in glow sticks. Here, the colour of the glow stick is a result of a fluorescent dye that absorbs the light from chemiluminescence and releases it as another colour. Furthermore, factors like temperature influence chemiluminescence. Therefore, increasing the temperature of the chemiluminescent reaction causes it to release more light. This effect can be easily observed using glow sticks. Placing a glow stick in hot water makes it glow brightly. However, this light does not last as long.

What is Bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is the phenomenon involving the production and emission of light due to biochemical reactions by living organisms. It occurs in living organisms such as fireflies, some fungi, many marine animals, and some bacteria. It does not usually occur in plants unless they are associated with bioluminescent bacteria. Animals usually glow because of their symbiotic relationship with Vibrio bacteria.

Chemiluminescence vs Bioluminescence in Tabular Form

Figure 02: Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence mostly occurs as a result of a chemical reaction between the enzyme luciferase and luminescent pigment luciferin. Proteins like aequorin and cofactors like calcium or magnesium may assist the reaction. The reaction needs energy inputs, which are often gained from ATP. There is little difference between luciferins from different species. However, the luciferase enzyme varies dramatically between phyla. Green and blue bioluminescence are the most common. Some species emit red bioluminescence as well. Organisms use bioluminescence for a variety of purposes, including prey, luring, warning, mate attention, camouflage, and illuminating their environment.

What are the Similarities Between Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence?

Chemiluminescence and bioluminescence are two different types of luminescence.
Both reactions produce light by substances without involving heat.
Both reactions are catalyzed by various catalysts.
The amounts of light produced by both reactions are influenced or affected by different factors.

What is the Difference Between Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence?

Chemiluminescence is the production and emission of light due to chemical reactions, while bioluminescence is the production and emission of light due to biochemical reactions by living organisms. This is the key difference between chemiluminescence and bioluminescence. Furthermore, chemiluminescence is a reaction process catalysed by inorganic catalysts, while bioluminescence is a reaction process catalysed by enzymes.

The following table summarizes the difference between chemiluminescence and bioluminescence.

Summary – Chemiluminescence vs Bioluminescence

Luminescence is the process of the spontaneous emission of light by a substance. Chemiluminescence and bioluminescence are two different types of luminescence. Chemiluminescence is the production and emission of light due to chemical reactions, while bioluminescence is the production and emission of light due to biochemical reactions by living organisms. This is the key difference between chemiluminescence and bioluminescence.

Reference:

1. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. “Chemiluminescence: What It Is and How It Works.” ThoughtCo.
2. “Bioluminescence.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.