BIOL 1080 Final: LEC 14 Exam notes.doc

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIOL 1080
• Professor: Jim Kirkland

Document Summary

We have previously indicated that there is a central clock which tell time" and then relays that information to peripheral clocks. The central and peripheral clocks then execute biological rhythmicity in the organism. The gastrointestinal tract is a very large organ system with multiple overlapping functions. The central (brain) and peripheral clocks of the human physiome are set by zeitgebers, cues from the environment as to how to synchronize activities of the system. Sunlight, ie. the solar day night cycle, is the evolutionary zietgebar for our sleep-wake cycle. Moonlight, ie. the lunar cycle, likely is the zeitgebar for the menstrual cycle. Information from the central clock is then sent to peripheral clocks in a variety organs and tissues. *very strong in a nursing baby & mom. May be overridden in adults by social & other external influences* The general structure of the gi tube" and it has it"s own nervous system!