Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction within a living organism. It is a type of chemiluminescence that takes place inside a living organism. Most bioluminescent organisms are found in the ocean, these include fish, bacteria and jellies. Some bioluminescent organisms, including fireflies and fungi, are found on land.
The chemical reaction that results in bioluminescence requires unique chemicals: luciferin and either luciferase or photoprotein. Luciferin is the compund that actually produces light. In a chemical reaction, luciferin is called the substrate. The bioluminescent colour is a result of the arrangement of luciferin molecules. Luciferase is an enzyme, the interaction of the luciferase with oxidized luciferin creates a byproduct, called oxyluciferin. More importantly, the chemical reaction creates light. Photoproteins combine with luciferins and oxygen, but need another agent, often an ion of the element calcium, to produce light.
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/bioluminescence/?ar_a=1
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