Mechanism of the

Biological Clock
Joselito R. Tumulak Jr., RChT, MS (cand.)
Guest Lecturer
INTENDED LEARNING
OUTCOMES
1. Define and describe endogenous circadian
rhythm;
2. Explain the role of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
in the circadian rhythm; and
3. Describe the biochemistry of circadian rhythm.
Endogenous Circadian Rhythm

– “Endogenous” – generated from within

– “Circadian” – from Latin words circa (about)
and dies (day)
Endogenous Circadian Rhythm

– Endogenous circadian rhythm can be reset

by stimuli called “zeitgeber” (time-giver).
– The most dominant zeitgeber for most land
animals, such as human, is light.
How does our body generate
circadian rhythm?
– Curt P. Richter (1967) was the first to
introduce the idea that our brains generate
its own rhythm, sort of like a “biological
clock”, which is insensitive to interferences.
– The biological clock is a robust mechanism.
What part of the brain in the main driver
of the circadian rhythm?
What part of the brain in the main driver
of the circadian rhythm?
– Damages to the SCN cause the
body’s rhythm to get erratic.
– If the neurons from SCN are
isolated and maintained in a
tissue culture, they continue
to produce circadian rhythm.
How light resets the SCN
– The retinohypothalamic path, a
small branch of optic nerve
connecting the retina and the
SCN is what alters the SCN’s
settings.
How light resets the SCN
– The retinohypothalamic path
does not receive from normal
retinal receptors, but rather to a
special ganglion cells having
their own photopigment called
melanopsin.
How light resets the SCN
– These special ganglion cells
respond to overall average
intensity of light rather than
instantaneous changes.
– Furthermore, they also mainly
react to blue light.
 The Biochemistry of the Circadian
Rhythm

– The concentration of the PER and TIM proteins, which promote sleep and inactivity,
oscillates over a day depending on the feedback mechanism of the neurons.
 The Biochemistry of the Circadian
Rhythm

– Mutation that affects the production of PER protein in

humans lead to a circadian rhythm lower than 24 hours.
The Pineal Gland and Melatonin

– The SCN also controls the

activity of other brain areas,
particularly the pineal gland.
This gland releases the
hormone melatonin.
The Pineal Gland and Melatonin

– Melatonin is released mainly at

night which increases sleepiness
for diurnal animals, such as
humans.
– Melatonin is usually secreted 2-
3 hours before bedtime.
CONCLUSION
– The brain periodically turns itself on and off, which
means sleepiness is definitely not a voluntary or
optional act.
– We have a biological mechanism that would
prepare us to wake at certain times and sleep at
other times, even when we would prefer other
times.