Circalunar and Circadian Rhythms

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to circadian and circadian rhythms, including terminologies, associated researchers, and implications for health and behavior.

Infradian rhythms

Biological rhythms that have a cycle longer than 24 hours.

Ultradian rhythms

Biological rhythms that occur more than once per day and have a period shorter than 24 hours.

Zugunruhe

Nocturnal restlessness observed in migratory birds.

Circannual rhythms

Rhythms that are annual in nature, influenced by the Earth's orbit, affecting light duration and other seasonal cues.

Eberhard Gwinner

A pioneer in circannual research who demonstrated that migration timing in birds is partially endogenously generated.

Circadian rhythms

Biological rhythms that have a 24-hour cycle, including sleep and wakefulness.

Temporal phenotype

An organism's biological trait regarding when it tends to be awake or asleep, often referred to as 'chronotype'.

MEQ (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire)

A questionnaire used to assess an individual's phase preference for daily activities.

CRSD (Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders)

Sleep disorders that manifest due to misalignments in the circadian clock.

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

A type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, often linked to changes in light exposure.

Chronotherapy

Treatment method that involves adjusting sleep-wake schedules to realign with natural circadian rhythms.

L-Cryptochrome

A type of protein that acts as a receptor for lunar light and plays a role in the circadian response to moonlight.

MSF (Mid-Sleep on Free Days)

A measure used in the MCTQ to determine an individual's sleep timing on non-work days.

Circadian synchrony

The alignment of an organism's internal rhythms with external environmental cues, such as light and dark cycles.

Tau hamsters

A type of rodent used in circadian rhythm studies to understand genetic influences on timing and sleep-wake cycles.

Chronomedicine

The study and application of biological timing to enhance medical treatments and outcomes.

Circadian desynchrony

A condition where an organism’s internal clock is not aligned with the external environment.