Circadian rhythms are the biological rhythms that could explain why some people last through the whole Big Game and and others are asleep before half-time.
A circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour cycle in the physiological processes of living beings, including plants, animals, fungi and cyanobacteria. In a strict sense, circadian rhythms are endogenously (originating from within an organism) generated, However, this internal rhythm is affected by outside sources such as artificial light, sun rise and time zones. And when one’s circadian rhythm is disrupted by, for example, jet lag, sleeping and eating patterns can get off kilter.
All humans are diurnal—meaning that we are active during the day. Before sunup, our circadian rhythm starts getting us ready for the day by increasing our steroid level,
increasing our blood pressure, dropping our melatonin levels and raising our body temperature. But the genetic and biochemical differences among individuals mean that this process can start later or earlier for some people than others.
Circadian rhythms work at the molecular level to “turn on” or “turn off” the expression of proteins controlling the bodily functions that make you sleepy or awake. Light is the main cue influencing circadian rhythms, turning on or turning off genes that control an organism’s internal clocks.
Are circadian rhythms the same thing as biological clocks?
Circadian rhythms are not the same as biological clocks, but they are related. Our biological clocks drive our circadian rhythms. The biological clocks that control circadian rhythms are groupings of interacting molecules in cells throughout the body. A master clock in the brain coordinates all the body clocks so that they are in synch.
The master clock that controls circadian rhythms consists of a group of nerve cells in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. The SCN contains about 20,000 nerve cells and is located in the hypothalamus, the area of the brain just above where the optic nerves cross.
That master clock, or SCN, controls the production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. Since SCN is located just above the optic nerves, which relay information from the eyes to the brain, the SCN receives information about incoming light. When there is less light—like at night—the SCN tells the brain to make more melatonin so you get drowsy.
How do circadian rhythms affect body function?
Circadian rhythms are important in determining human sleep patterns. Circadian rhythms can change sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, body temperature and other important bodily functions.
Circadian rhythms have been linked to various sleep disorders, such as insomnia and disrupted sleep-wake cycles. Abnormal circadian rhythms have also been associated with depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Understanding what makes our biological clocks tick may lead researchers to treatments for sleep disorders, jet lag and other health problems such as those above. Learning more about the genes responsible for circadian rhythms will also enhance our understanding of biological systems and the human body.
Original Article Here
********
Nathan says: It's amazing to think about all the different rhythm that life has for us. Making sure we keep in that rhythm especially for our sleep routine is extremely important!
I'd love to hear your thoughts or for you to join the conversation on Facebook!
********
No comments:
Post a Comment