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Psychology term of the day

May 2nd 2024

biological clock

biological clock

the mechanism within an organism that controls the periodicity of biological rhythms, including activity rhythms, even in the absence of any external cues. For example, a bird housed in constant light will continue to show patterns of activity and rest with approximately 24-hour rhythms due to the action of the biological clock. A biological clock in mammals is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Molecular mechanisms of the circadian rhythm are the same in insects and mammals. Also called internal clock.