What is bioluminescent plankton?

Bioluminescent plankton are creatures that produce light through chemical reactions in their bodies. A group of chemicals called luciferins undergo chemical reactions to produce light. Some chemicals, when mixed together, produce energy and vibrate with other particles to create a glow.

Plankton are drifting organisms found in the oceans and can be plants or animals. Phytoplankton are the plant plankton found in the world's oceans. The most common type of phytoplankton is a group of tiny marine plankton known as dinoflagellates or fire plants. Bioluminescence is a defense mechanism that helps dinoflagellates escape from predators. When disturbed, these organisms produce a flash of light.