biological rhythms

Biological rhythms

ultradian - under 24hrs e.g sleep cycle

circadian - about 24hrs e.g sleep/wake cycle 

infradian - more than 24hrs e.g menstrual cycle

circannual - occur annually e.g ,migration in birds

circadian 

- endogenous pacemakers - factors inside the body that regualte biological rhythms e.g scn (suprachiasmatic nucleus)

- exogenous zietgebers - factors outside the body that may trigger biological rhythms e.g light

neuropsychology of sleep:

melatonin released by pineal gland. during day pineal gland not active, darkness causes scn to trigger gland to procude melatonin. melatonin produced for ~ 12hrs.

functions of…