Volume : IV, Issue : III, March - 2014

Circadian Biorhythms � Present Understanding and Status of Research

Sivaprasad, S

Abstract :

The biological processes manifest in the form of endogenous and self–sustaining cyclic events called circadian rhythms. These events oscillate on a 24 hr scale under the influence of environmental cues and are monitored by an integrated system comprising circadian clocks, photoreceptors and transducers. Circadian clocks include central and peripheral clocks. While, the central clocks are closely associated with the suprchaismatic nuclei (SCN) of ain in verteates and neurons of ain in insects, the peripheral clocks are limited to peripheral tissues. The functions of photoreception and rhythm transduction are combined and performed by an integrated structure comprising pineal gland and retino–hypothalamic tract. The circadian clock mechanism resembles ‘input–process–output model’ in which light plays a key role in modulating the expression of circadian clock genes. Despite rapid advances in molecular and genetic basis of circadian mechanism, the ‘clock–to–physiology cascade’ still remains unresolved. It opens–up new vistas for further research in circadian biology.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Sivaprasad, S Circadian Biorhythms � Present Understanding and Status of Research Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.IV, Issue. III

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