Biological Rhythms

Question 1

Biological rhythms

Answer 1

Distinct patterns of changes in body activity that conform to cyclical time periods.
Influenced by internal body clocks (endogenous pacemakers) as well as external changes to the environment (exogenous zeitgebers).

Question 2

All living organisms are subject to…

Answer 2

Biological rhythms and exert an important influence on the way in which body systems behave.

Question 3

Circadian rhythm

Answer 3

A type of biological rhythm.
Subject to a 24-hour cycle, which regulates a number of body processes such as the sleep/wake cycle and changes in core body temperature.

Question 4

Infradrian rhythm

Answer 4

A type of biological rhythm.

A frequency of less than one cycle in 24 hours, such as menstruation and seasonal affective disorder.

Question 5

Ultradian rhythm

Answer 5

A type of biological rhythm.

A frequency of more than one cycle in 24 hours, such as the stages of sleep.

Question 6

Endogenous pacemakers

Answer 6

Internal body clocks regulate many of our biological rhythms, such as the influence of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) on the sleep/wake cycle.

Question 7

Exogenous zeitgebers

Answer 7

External cues may affect or entrain our biological rhythms, such as the influence of light on the sleep/wake cycle.