Here is the most beautiful line written in an academic journal: “Light from the sun sustains life on earth” (Yang, Genes & Development, 2010). It is in reference to circadian rhythms, or the physiological oscillations cued by light not only regulating our sleep/wake cycles, but also maintaining blood pressure, body temperature, and metabolism. The delicate balance between regulation of the positive and negative circadian loops is mediated by cyclical gene and protein expression. If disrupted, it can cause shortened sleep cycles as seen in bipolar patients. Our brains house the main clockwork, but circadian rhythms also exist in other tissues. At the cellular level, it is an intriguing, yet convoluted pathway of which I’m only beginning to make sense.
1) If you’d like to sound smart when feeling peaked, throw these words into your conversation: “Suprachiasmatic Nucleus”, “Period Genes”, “Clock Protein”, “Zeitgeber”.
2) Here’s an example of a sentence you can use when expressing your inability to visit and participate in rousing talk about dung beetles *yawn*: “I’ve enjoyed our time together, but my Suprachiasmatic Nucleus is telling me it’s time to hit the sack. That pesky Clock Protein is ticking, if you catch my drift. Also, my bff here is on her Period Genes, so we best take off before the Zeitgeber strikes midnight and turns us into pumpkins.”
To honor studies of Circadian Rhythms, I have selected this song for your enjoyment:
Day Glo by Brazos