Circadian Rhythmns, Exogenous Zeitgeibers And Endogeous Pacemakers

Question 1

What are biological rhythms?

Answer 1

Internal processes that impact our behaviour that are sometimes affected by external factors due to the cyclical nature of environment
- they are our bodies natural body clocks

Question 2

How are biological rhythms important in routine (AO3)?

Answer 2

Important in telling people when to take their drugs as biological rhythms give the knowledge that your highest/lowest levels of blood pressure are at different times of the day

Question 3

What are circadian rhythms and give an example?

Answer 3

Cycle of bodily rhythms that occur approximately once a day e.g sleep wake cycle

Question 4

Why are circadian rhythms important?

Answer 4

To balance behaviour and body states to environmental changes to maintain an internal state of homeostasis despite changes in environment

Question 5

What are endogenous pacemakers and what is an example?

Answer 5

Internal body clocks that regulate biological rhythms e.g Suprachiasmatic nucleus

Question 6

What is the SCN and what is it needed for?

Answer 6

Structure within the brain that can detect light even when your eyes are closed
- regulates circadian rhythms of sleep wake cycle

Question 7

What are exogenous zeitgebers?

Answer 7

External factors which help reset our biological clocks

Question 8

What are the endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers for the sleep wake cycle?

Answer 8

EP: SCN
EZ: light and dark