Circadian rhythms
Circadian rhythms (pronunciation: /sɜːrˈkeɪdiən/; etymology: from the Latin circa meaning "around" and diem meaning "day") are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an organism's environment.
Overview
Circadian rhythms are found in most living things, including animals, plants, and many tiny microbes. The study of circadian rhythms is called chronobiology.
Biological Clocks
Biological clocks are an organism’s innate timing device. They are composed of specific molecules (proteins) that interact in cells throughout the body. Biological clocks are found in nearly every tissue and organ. Researchers have identified similar genes in people, fruit flies, mice, fungi, and several other organisms that are responsible for making the clock's components.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Disruptions in these rhythms or Circadian Rhythm Disorders may lead to various health conditions, such as sleep disorders, obesity, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.
Related Terms
- Chronobiology: The field of biology that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar-related rhythms.
- Biological Clock: An organism's innate timing device.
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders: A family of sleep disorders affecting (among other bodily processes) the timing of sleep.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Circadian rhythms
- Wikipedia's article - Circadian rhythms
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