Endogenous pacemakers

Question 1

what are endogenous pacemakers

Answer 1

Internal biological mechanisms that regulate biological rhythms without the need for external cues. these are internal body clocks that help control circadian, ultradian and infradian rhythms

Question 2

what is the suprachiasmatic nucleus

Answer 2

a tiny bundle of nerve cells locates in the hypothalamus in the brain. it is the primary endogenous pacemaker in mammals and plays a key role in controlling circadian rhythms such as the sleep wake cycle

Question 3

what is the hypothalamus

Answer 3

a brain structure involved in many regulatory functions, including hunger, thirst and biological rhythms. it houses the SCN which acts as the central clock

Question 4

what is the pineal gland

Answer 4

a small gland located near the centre of the brain that works in conjunction with the SCN. it releases melatonin.

Question 5

what is melatonin

Answer 5

a hormone produced by the pineal gland that plays a major role in regulating the sleep wake cycle, as it promotes sleep usually in the absence of light. its release is controlled by the SCN

Question 6

what is circadian rhythm sleep disorder

Answer 6

a condition where the internal biological clock is out of sync with the normal day-night cycle, even in the absence of external disruptions