The Circadian Rhythm Effect
Jorge Lozano
Introduction
Almost all living things have a normal daily cycle they adhere to. It usually relates to the pattern developed by a function of time in relation to behavioral and physiological processes. Circadian rhythm in all mammals is a process that describes our inner master “clock” and our daily functionality. “Circadian timing is structured in such a way as to receive information from the external and internal environments, and its function is the timing organization of the physiological and behavioral processes in a circadian pattern (1)”. With the 24 hour cycle put in use we determine the sleeping and feeding patterns of all animals.
Since the circadian rhythm is such a vital function for our biological well being it is highly important to study and document both the internal and external processes that directly effect it. Our main objective in researching this was to determine if the relationship between biological functions relate to our normal daily activity period. We hypothesized that during our normal rest period we reach a nadir or low point of functionality while during our normal activity period we reach our zenith or high point.
Materials and Methods
In order to collect the necessary data, we took measurements of heart rate, adding speed, eye-hand coordination, and eye-hand coordination number of trials with mistakes. Measurements were taken at 12 time points throughout a 24-hour period over a 7-day period. The tests were taken by individual students with the sample size being the students of the Biology lab 155 class roster . At various hour intervals a 1 minute heart beat rate measurement is taken. The cognitive test is taking a measurement of adding speed. This is done by timing how fast the test subject is able to add a line of numbers. The motor coordination test is eye-hand coordination, with time and number of trials documented. The eye-hand test is taken by timing the process of thumb to each finger on one
Introduction
Almost all living things have a normal daily cycle they adhere to. It usually relates to the pattern developed by a function of time in relation to behavioral and physiological processes. Circadian rhythm in all mammals is a process that describes our inner master “clock” and our daily functionality. “Circadian timing is structured in such a way as to receive information from the external and internal environments, and its function is the timing organization of the physiological and behavioral processes in a circadian pattern (1)”. With the 24 hour cycle put in use we determine the sleeping and feeding patterns of all animals.
Since the circadian rhythm is such a vital function for our biological well being it is highly important to study and document both the internal and external processes that directly effect it. Our main objective in researching this was to determine if the relationship between biological functions relate to our normal daily activity period. We hypothesized that during our normal rest period we reach a nadir or low point of functionality while during our normal activity period we reach our zenith or high point.
Materials and Methods
In order to collect the necessary data, we took measurements of heart rate, adding speed, eye-hand coordination, and eye-hand coordination number of trials with mistakes. Measurements were taken at 12 time points throughout a 24-hour period over a 7-day period. The tests were taken by individual students with the sample size being the students of the Biology lab 155 class roster . At various hour intervals a 1 minute heart beat rate measurement is taken. The cognitive test is taking a measurement of adding speed. This is done by timing how fast the test subject is able to add a line of numbers. The motor coordination test is eye-hand coordination, with time and number of trials documented. The eye-hand test is taken by timing the process of thumb to each finger on one