SC213 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Circadian Rhythm, Circadian Clock, Pineal Gland
Document Summary
Some animals generate endogenous circannual rhythms, internal mechanisms that operate on an annual or yearly cycle. Birds migratory patterns, animals storing food for the winter. All animals produce endogenous circadian rhythms, internal mechanisms that operate on an approximately 24 hour cycle. Animals generate endogenous 24 hour cycles of wakefulness and sleep. Also regulates the frequency of eating and drinking, body temperature, secretion of hormones, urination, and sensitivity to drugs. Can differ between people and lead to different patterns of wakefulness and alertness. The purpose of the circadian rhythm is to keep our internal workings in. Sleep patterns from childhood to late adulthood phase with the outside world. Human circadian clock generates a rhythm slightly longer than 24 hours when it has no external cue to set it. Resetting our circadian rhythms is sometimes necessary. A rhythm that occurs when no stimuli resets it. A term used to describe any stimulus that resets the circadian rhythms.
