Fukomys: The Creation Of Circadian Rhythms

945 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Human sleeping patterns affected by artificial light

The circadian rhythm is a predictable pattern that a species follows during a twenty-four-hour cycle. Circadian rhythms of species are associated with the external cues, which can be factors like sunlight, moisture, and temperature. When mammals are presented with an environment that does not have many external cues, the expectations are that there would be a weak or no evidence of a circadian rhythm. Contrary to this expectation, subterranean rodents have shown evidence of circadian rhythm, even though the environment they live in has few external cues. Prior scientific research done by other scientists indicated that the rodents acted in a predictable manner due to heat regulation against the hot and cold. In this study, the authors looked at the Ansell’s mole-rat (Fukomys anselli) to better understand whether social or environmental cues were more important in the creation of the circadian rhythm. Through this experiment, the authors attempted to answer five questions: is there a noticeable circadian rhythm that Fukomys anselli follows, is the circadian rhythm emerging due to the temperature of the environment, is the circadian rhythm emerging due to social effects, are Fukomys …show more content…

The data collected showed that the activity of Fukomys anselli corresponded the closest to the temperature fluctuations at ten centimeters below the surface. The temperature of the environment showed more positive correlation to the circadian rhythm of Fukomys anselli compared to the other variables that include sex, reproduction viability, and social cues. Rather, the other variables excluding environment temperature only showed significant data when both sessions of the ninety-six-hour observation was combined. In the case of synchronization, synchronization showed once for both sessions one and

Show More
Related

  • Artemia Franciscana and Preference Regarding the Effects of Light, Temperature, and pH.

    1223 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Artemia franciscana can survive in extreme conditions of salinity, water depth, and temperature (Biology 108 laboratory manual, 2010), but do A. franciscana prefer these conditions or do they simply cope with their surroundings? This experiment explored the extent of the A. franciscanas preference towards three major stimuli: light, temperature, and acidity. A. franciscana are able to endure extreme temperature ranges from 6 ̊ C to 40 ̊ C, however since their optimal temperature for breeding is about room temperature it can be inferred that the A. franciscana will prefer this over other temperatures (Al Dhaheri and Drew, 2003). This is much the same in regards to acidity as Artemia franciscana, in general thrive in saline lakes, can survive pH ranges between 7 and 10 with 8 being ideal for cysts(eggs) to hatch (Al Dhaheri and Drew, 2003). Based on this fact alone the tested A. franciscana should show preference to higher pH levels. In nature A. franciscana feed by scraping food, such as algae, of rocks and can be classified as a bottom feeder; with this said, A. franciscana are usually located in shallow waters. In respect to the preference of light intensity, A. franciscana can be hypothesized to respond to light erratically (Fox, 2001; Al Dhaheri and Drew, 2003). Using these predictions, and the results of the experimentation on the A. franciscana and stimuli, we will be able to determine their preference towards light, temperature, and pH.

    Read More

  • Isopod Lab Report

    1781 Words  | 4 Pages

    After results, it was concluded that isopods prefer normal temperature conditions over warm conditions. We created these environments by adding water onto filter papers with the accounted for temperature measurements. The reason for the results could be seen in a usual isopod environment, it is usually dark, fresh, and moist, and the normal water temperature being the closest to that was the reason for their choosing. The Isopods seemed to locate the appropriate environment by the use of their antennas. For the investigation the normal water and warm water temperatures were independent variables. The observations were the control. The isopods behavior served as the dependent variables. The isopod behavior would be classified as movement in response to a cooler temperature environment taxis. All in all the hypothesis, “If the isopods are exposed to normal and warm temperatures then the normal temperature will be preferred” proved to be

    Read More

  • Planaria And Caffeine Experiment

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Planaria usually live in water, water doesn’t have any effect on them which the reason why it is used as a control group in this experiment. Planarian will be put near the edge in a two-chamber tray containing water, in the side that is not covered with a dark piece of paper. Five planaria will be tested in a 2- chamber tray. We will measure how long it takes the planaria to move from the edge of a chamber receiving light, to the dark chamber. Subsequently, start by adding the lower concentration of caffeine in the water, replacing planarian in the same position and measuring how long it takes now to go back to the dark chamber in the presence of caffeine. We will duplicate the same procedure with higher concentrations of caffeine and additionally take the average of the time all five planaria took to move from the edge of the chamber in brightness, to the dark chamber in different concentrations of

    Read More

  • Sacred Rhythms Chapter Summary

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    Chapter Nine- A Rule of Life: Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton Summary: Ruth Haley Barton’s book Sacred Rhythms is a book that offers insights and helpful tools for living a spiritually full life. The final chapter of Sacred Rhythms focuses on planning and critically evaluating ourselves and our role as Christians.

    Read More

  • Hormonal Arthropods: A Brief Overview of Moulting

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    Vafopoulou, X. & Steel, C. G. 1996. Circadian regulation of a daily rhythm of release of prothoracicotropic hormone from the brain retrocerebral complex of Rhodnius prolixus (hemiptera) during larval-adult development. General and Comparative Endocrinology, Vol. 102, pp. 123-129

    Read More

  • Daphnia Lab Report

    839 Words  | 2 Pages

    The purpose of this lab was to study the response of the genus Daphnia to chemical stimuli and to examine human responses to different stimuli. A stimulus is an incentive; it is the cause of a physical response. Stimuli can have a physical or chemical change; an example of a physical change is a change in temperature and sound. An example of chemical change would be changes in hormone levels and pH levels. Muscular activity or glandular secretions are responses that occurs when stimulus information effects the nervous and/or hormone system. Daphnia is a genus; it is a small crustacean that lives in fresh water. The body of the daphnia is visible and its internal organs are clearly seen thus it was chosen for this exercise. The

    Read More

  • Analysis of Treatments for Cancer

    1425 Words  | 3 Pages

    4. Circadian Cancer Therapy. William J. M. Hrushesky, Ed. CRC Press, Inc., MI, 1994. pp 3-9, 279-281.

    Read More

  • Circadian Rhythms

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    Circadian rhythms are endogenous and self sustaining in all animals and plants. These rhythms are present in the absence of environment clues such as light, temperature and social clues. In absence of clues, animals free run in constant darkness due to programmed genetic interactions. Some of the genes involve in this processes are Per, Clock and Cry. The expressions of these genes are tightly regulated at molecular level by proteins which bind to promoters and repressors to create a rhythm throughout the day. For example, bmal and clock bind to ebox region to produce cry and mper proteins (Hong and Chong, 2007). These proteins are concentration dependant which means high level binds to repressor region to avoid further transcription. Such oscillations work on close to 24 hour cycle in animals and plants. These processes occur without any environmental clues. In case the environment clues are introduced to animals, they tend to synchronize internal clock with external signals. One such example of synchronization is shown in dorsophilia which increase Tim protein at night and the presence of external light decrease the production of Tim protein. This results into phase delay in dorsophilia (Leuloup and Goldbeter, 2001).

    Read More

  • Biological Observation Essay

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the winter quarter of 2014, biology 155 students examined for one week circadian body rhythms during “normal” activity and rest periods. The students had to go to sleep between 10 and 12 o’clock, wake up around 6 and 8 in the morning and had to do usual activities for it to be considered a “normal” day in a week’s period. During a 24 hour period students had to interrupt their “normal” sleep period in order to collect some data. Every 2 hours, 12 times in total, three function tests were conducted in the same order and had to be written do...

    Read More

  • Sleep Physiology And Chronobiology Essay

    1611 Words  | 4 Pages

    We live our entire life in two states, sleep and awake1. These two states are characterized by two distinct behaviors. For instance, the brain demonstrates a well-defined activity during non-REM sleep (nREM) that is different when we are awake. In the study of sleep by Huber et. al., the authors stated that sleep is in fact a global state2. It is unclear whether this statement means that sleep is a state of global behavioural inactivity or the state of the global nervous system. The notion that sleep is a global state of the nervous system served as basis for sleep researchers to search for a sleep switch. The discovery of the sleep switch, in return, provided evidence and enhanced the notion that sleep is a global state of the nervous system. The switch hypothesis developed from the fact that sleep can be initiated without fatigue and it is reversible1. It was hypothesized that there is something in the brain that has the ability to control the whole brain and initiate sleep. Studies have found a good candidate that demonstrated this ability3. They found a group of neurons in the Ventrolateral Preoptic (VLPO) nucleus. It was a good candidate because it was active during sleep, has neuronal output that can influence the wakefulness pathway, and lesion in the area followed reduce sleep3. The idea that there is something that can control the whole brain and result sleep state supports the idea that sleep is a global state of the nervous system.

    Read More

  • Original Sin In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the Puritan religion, they believed in the concept of original sin and that everyone was inherently sinful. The Puritans preach that sin is not only a personal failing but also a threat to the entire community. In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, set in the late 17th century in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts. Themes of hysteria, fear, and the destructive power of false accusations are exposed. In the midst of it all, a young girl named Abigail, emerges with her own motives and desires, specifically exhibiting the sins of Lust, Pride, and Wrath.

    Read More

  • Essay On Sleep Cycle

    560 Words  | 2 Pages

    The four stages of sleep are REM (rapid eye movement sleep), NREM1 (non-rem), NREM2, and NREM3. During the REM stage “your heart rate rises, your breathing becomes rapid and irregular, and every half-minute or so your eyes dart around in momentary burst of activity behind closed lids” (Myers, 2014, p. 96).

    Read More

  • The Morning Routine

    1707 Words  | 4 Pages

    In countless homes and numerous cultures, drinking morning coffee is a staple routine. One can drink it alone at home, in a car en route to work or school, or stop at a coffee shop or café and enjoy it among other people. In developing my routine this year, I chose the latter practice. Every morning I arrive at a local coffee shop, smell the same aromas, order the same drink, sit in the same chair, and observe the same people who continue their morning customs as well. For several months now, my mornings have consisted of this, and every morning, I would mainly observe one person; an old man who has become somewhat of a fixture at this coffee shop and who has not changed his routine as far as I have witnessed. He is already there when I arrive every morning, sitting alone at the small table for two in the corner by the window, drinking his small cup of black coffee, and reading the newspaper. He is on a first-name basis with the workers and owner, and often chats with some of the other regulars. After months of polite smiles, quiet “good mornings”, and creating a background of this old man in my own mind, I finally get the courage to approach him. I start the conversation with him about our similar morning routine, and it gradually develops into a soft and informal interview.

    Read More

  • Sleep Is A Quintessential Importance Of Sleep

    1975 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sleep is of quintessential importance in our daily lives. Prolonged sleep deprivation can result in decreased immune system and in the worst case scenario death. As everyone can relate to, our sleep-wake cycle is relatively regular and stable, and there is a reason for our regular biological cycles: the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). In our body, multiple biological clocks regulate circadian rhythms like our sleep-wake cycle and rhythms of hormonal release. Within the hypothalamus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) contains the master clock that regulates the peripheral circadian clocks in the brain to prevent them from going out of sync with each other. The SCN also receives information from the retina for light entrainment and thus maintains the whole system in synchrony with the light-dark (LD) cycle. It has been the central dogma in the field of circadian biology that light is the primary zeitgeber, cue that entrains the circadian rhythm. Many studies show that daytime neuronal activity of the SCN and light-induced neuronal activity of the SCN inhibit locomotor activity in nocturnal rodents. However, several studies show that the food anticipatory behavior (FAA), which is induced by limiting food to a few hours a day, can be zeitgeber that supersedes all other cues, including light. Rodents can anticipate a predictable daily mealtime by entrainment of circadian oscillators. Studies show that this anticipatory behavior does not require the master circadian clock within the SCN and this has led to the hypothesis that there are food-entrainable oscillators (FEOs) in the brain responsible for the anticipatory behavior. However, the circadian oscillators responsible for the FAA are still unknown. In this paper, I ...

    Read More

  • Sleep Cycle Essay

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    In a majority of circadian rhythms there seems to be major components which include an endogenous component (which is regulated by an internal clock located in the hypothalamus) and an exogenous component. This exogenous component is made up of different clues in time in the world around us....

    Read More

More about Fukomys: The Creation Of Circadian Rhythms

Open Document