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circadian rhythm
(redirected from diurnal cycle)

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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.
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circadian rhythm

Inherent 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.
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According to Miller, red to the Maya was the colour of the sunrise, black of the sunset, alternating with each other in the diurnal cycle.
Ancient Maya endured unspeakable pain to make themselves beautiful by Asian News International
The production of the pineal hormone melatonin is synchronized with day-night cycle via multisynaptic pathway including suprachiasmatic nucleus linking several physiological functions to diurnal cycle.
Blood pressure modulation and cardiovascular protection by melatonin: ... by Life Extension
In order to characterize moisture absorption in southern Florida, this investigation observed multiple samples of three different coating systems on exposure throughout a diurnal cycle in southern Florida.
Considerations for characterizing moisture effects in coatings ... by Hardcastle, Henry K.; Meeks, William L. / JCT Research
 
 
 
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