Endogenous circadian rhythms are generated internally, independent of external cues, regulating various physiological and behavioral processes in organisms.
Endogenous circadian rhythms are intricate biological cycles that originate from within an organism, orchestrated by internal molecular processes.
These rhythms persist even in the absence of external cues, highlighting their intrinsic nature.
The term "circadian" stems from the Latin words "circa diem," meaning "about a day," underscoring the approximate 24-hour duration of these cycles.
The master pacemaker governing these rhythms is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain's hypothalamus.
The SCN receives light signals directly from the eyes, synchronizing the internal clock with the external day-night cycle.
However, the remarkable aspect of endogenous circadian rhythms is their ability to persist even when isolated from external time cues, a phenomenon known as "free-running" or "self-sustained" rhythms.
At the core of endogenous rhythmicity are molecular feedback loops involving specific clock genes and their protein products.
These genes regulate the expression of various biochemical and physiological processes, orchestrating the ebb and flow of the organism's activity and rest cycles.
Examples of endogenous circadian rhythms include fluctuations in body temperature, hormone levels, and sleep-wake cycles.
These internal rhythms has profound implications for fields ranging from chronobiology to medicine.
Research into the molecular mechanisms of endogenous circadian rhythms continues to unveil the intricate workings of these internal timekeepers, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay between biology and time.
Question
___ circadian rhythms are those that are generated from within rather than from external cues.