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BIOLOGICAL CLOCK [1 record]

Record 1 2004-05-12

English

Subject field(s)
  • Morphology and General Physiology
  • Human Biological Requirements
DEF

... any of various mysterious mechanisms by which living things adjust themselves to periodic changes in their environment. Every organ and even every cell appears to have them. They are remarkably stable, and temperature changes or chemicals that speed or slow ordinary bodily processes do not affect the clocks' accuracy, a most useful attribute.

CONT

... circadian rhythms are widely held to be endogenous, or innate, to living systems, governed by shadowy physiological mechanisms known as biological clocks.

CONT

In sickness, as in health, rhythm is a critical factor. Effective treatments must work with the body's clocks, not against them.

CONT

Jet lag occurs when the circadian clock gets out of step with its environment.

OBS

The German term "Zeitgeber" is frequently used in English papers.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Morphologie et physiologie générale
  • Besoins biologiques de l'homme
DEF

Ensemble des mécanismes biochimiques et physiologiques qui ont pour effet de maintenir chez l'individu une répartition rythmique de l'activité de l'organisme, aussi bien sur le plan physiologique que sur le plan comportemental, et dont l'effet se poursuit en l'absence de synchroniseurs.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Morfología y fisiología general
  • Necesidades biológicas del hombre
DEF

Conjunto de estrategias y procesos rítmicos que gobiernan el comportamiento de seres vivos para adecuarlo al ritmo del planeta.

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