What are the differences between bioluminescence and fluorescence?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Bioluminescence

Fluorescence

Definition

Bioluminescence occurs from a chemical reaction that creates light energy within an organism’s body

Fluorescence is the emission of light from a substance that has absorbed energy previously

Signal-to-noise ratio

High

Lower

Substrate

Luciferin

None

Imaging depth

1-2 cm

1 cm

Time image is acquired

In minutes

Seconds

Phototoxicity

None associated

Some phototoxicity possible

Source of light

A living organism

A substance or material

Properties

Appears as a result of the reaction between luciferin and oxygen in the presence of luciferase and other factors

Light becomes emitted as a result of the excitation of atoms in substances after absorbing energy previously from other sources

Basis of differentiation	Bioluminescence	Fluorescence
Definition	Bioluminescence occurs from a chemical reaction that creates light energy within an organism’s body	Fluorescence is the emission of light from a substance that has absorbed energy previously
Signal-to-noise ratio	High	Lower
Substrate	Luciferin	None
Imaging depth	1-2 cm	1 cm
Time image is acquired	In minutes	Seconds
Phototoxicity	None associated	Some phototoxicity possible
Source of light	A living organism	A substance or material
Properties	Appears as a result of the reaction between luciferin and oxygen in the presence of luciferase and other factors	Light becomes emitted as a result of the excitation of atoms in substances after absorbing energy previously from other sources