Zeitgeber
Zeitgeber
Zeitgeber (pronounced: /ˈtsaɪtˌɡeɪbər/; from German, literally "time-giver") is a term used in Chronobiology to refer to any external or environmental cue that entrains or synchronizes an organism's biological rhythms to the Earth's 24-hour light/dark cycle and 12-month year.
Etymology
The term Zeitgeber comes from the German words "Zeit" meaning time, and "Geber" meaning giver, thus translating to "time-giver". It was first used in the field of Chronobiology in the 1950s.
Function
Zeitgebers help to regulate an organism's circadian rhythms, which are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. The most well-known Zeitgeber is daylight. Other Zeitgebers include temperature, social interactions, pharmacological manipulations, exercise, and meal times.
Related Terms
- Circadian Rhythm: A natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
- Chronobiology: A field of biology that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar-related rhythms.
- Entrainment (chronobiology): The process of synchronizing a biological rhythm to an environmental stimulus.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zeitgeber
- Wikipedia's article - Zeitgeber
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