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circadian rhythm |
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circadian rhythm: see rhythm, biological rhythm, biological, cyclic pattern of physiological changes or changes in activity in living organisms, most often synchronized with daily, monthly, or annual cyclical changes in the environment. ..... Click the link for more information. . circadian rhythmInherent cycle of approximately 24 hours in length that appears to control or initiate various biological processes, including sleep, wakefulness, and digestive and hormonal activity. The natural signal for the circadian pattern is the change from darkness to light. The controlling mechanism for these cyclic processes within the body is thought to be the hypothalamus. Any change in the circadian cycle (such as jet lag and other conditions associated with travel) requires a certain period for readjustment. circadian rhythm [sər′kād·ē·ən ′rith·əm] (physiology) A self-sustained cycle of physiological changes that occurs over an approximately 24-hour cycle, generally synchronized to light-dark cycles in an organism's environment. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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The area of the brain called the hypothalamus, which links the nervous system to the endocrine system by synthesizing and secreting neurohormones that affect sleep, emotions, body temperature, hunger and thirst, is the mainspring of our circadian clock. Soon after Berson's finding, Figueiro and others began testing how well blue light can reset people's circadian clocks. Most mammalian cells function on an approximate 24-hour cell cycle, and the circadian clock has been implicated in regulating the phases of cell division. |
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