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A circadian rhythm (/ s ər ˈ k eɪ d i ə n /), or circadian cycle, is a natural oscillation that repeats roughly every 24 hours. Circadian rhythms can refer to any process that originates within an organism (i.e., endogenous ) and responds to the environment (is entrained by the environment).
The circadian rhythm provides a person with a signal for when to sleep and when to wake up. [43] If circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle are misaligned, this might lead to negative affect and emotional instability. [44] It has been found that emotions vary depending on the circadian rhythm and the duration of how long one was awake. [45]
The physiological changes that follow these clocks are known as circadian rhythms. Because the endogenous period of these rhythms are approximately but not exactly 24 hours, these rhythms must be reset by external cues to synchronize with the daily cycles in the environment. [1] This process is called entrainment. One of the most important cues ...
All of these are examples of circadian rhythm disorders, which are problems with the alignment between your sleep-wake cycle and your responsibilities for the day—like going to work or school ...
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This time allows for the body to recharge and return to a phase of optimal functioning. It is recommended that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is regulated by an internal process known as the circadian rhythm. This 24-hour cycle regulates periods of alertness and tiredness that an individual experiences. [3]
In vertebrates, the master circadian clock is contained within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a bilateral nerve cluster of about 20,000 neurons. [10] [11] The SCN itself is located in the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain situated directly above the optic chiasm, where it receives input from specialized photosensitive ganglion cells in the retina via the retinohypothalamic tract.
Any biological process in the body that repeats itself over a period of approximately 24 hours and maintains this rhythm in the absence of external stimuli is considered a circadian rhythm. [4] It is believed that the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), or internal pacemaker, is responsible for regulating the body's biological rhythms ...