Book excerpt: Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence: Basic Chemistry and Analytical Applications is a compendium of papers presented at the second International Symposium on Analytical Applications of Bioluminescene and Chemiluminescence in San Diego, California on August 26-28, 1980. Part I deals with chemilunescence and excited states including topics on the spectroscopy of the solvent cage — generation and characteristics of the excited state and the three features of chemi- and bioluminescence. Part II deals with events prior to producing luminol-dependent chemiluminescence; this part also examines the effects of stimulants on membrane potential. Part III discusses bacterial bioluminescence and analyzes the properties of a lumazine protein from a bioluminescent bacterium. This part also analyzes accessory enzymes responsible for such bacterial bioluminescence. Part IV examines the chemistry of firefly bioluminescence and presents the formula of three reactions catalyzed by firefly luciferase. Part V analyzes bioluminescence from other sources such as the earthworm and land snails. Part VI discusses the applications of bioluminescence in clinical chemistry, soil science, and marine biology. Part VII deals with the future uses of bioluminescence, while Part VIII is an abstract of other papers dealing with this subject. This collection can be helpful for biologists, zoologists, micro-biologists, marine biologists, and researchers dealing with bio-chemistry and related disciplines.