BIOL 115 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Circadian Rhythm, Cortisol, Ovulation
Document Summary
Circadian rhythms occur over a 24 hour period this is having to do with external control (light exposure) It happens that our natural cycle seems to be a little closer to 25 hours, so. Generally we wake up and sleep every 24 hours. Up in afternoon, down in early morning. Many fluctuate over course of day, having to do with if you"re awake vs. asleep. Cortisol (stress hormone) boost tends to happen early in morning and seems to help you wake up (though its not a main chemical associated with helping you wake up in the brain) Normally you wouldn"t notice that because you don"t normally tend to wake up with a burst of stress, but its more of a subtle influence. But if you have a lot of anxiety or depression, many of those people have high cortisol levels normally. Infraradian rhythms occur in periods longer than day.
