Table of ContentsIntroductionBackgroundEffects on other biological processesDiseases arising from unregulated circadian rhythmsConclusionIntroductionThe circadian rhythm is a biological tool that is part of almost every living organism on Earth. Although each being experiences it differently, humans are unique in the sense that we use ours for our day-night cycle. The circadian rhythm is responsible for our sleep cycle and how it is maintained. Using the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN, the brain creates this sort of internal clock that helps an organism control its bodily functions. Current studies are underway to better understand its functioning as well as its links with other bodily functions such as sleep and metabolism. Light is an important factor that plays an important role in the circadian rhythm not only in humans, but in all organisms. Melatonin is also a very important tool because it helps reset this internal clock. Without this internal clock, there would be no way to maintain body stasis and this would lead to serious health complications. It is therefore a crucial neurological function of the body that is absolutely necessary to properly meet its needs. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayBackgroundLight is a very powerful force that can affect various parts of life. One of its most important roles is that of controlling our circadian rhythms. Humans are very unique because we are among the most light-insensitive organisms. However, this insensitivity is unaffected by the fact that it affects the way humans sleep. When light is observed, it passes through the brain and causes repression in the posterior hypothalamus. The posterior hypothalamus is what facilitates the secretion of melatonin, which is the biological chemical that the brain creates in order to facilitate our sleep cycles. When there is less light observed, much more melatonin is created, which makes the body more tired. In a more detailed explanation, light enters through the retinal glands and is dispersed as ganglion cells. After this step, they are then sent to the SCN, which is linear with its connection to the posterior hypothalamus. This then explains the process in which light and the SCN are connected. Using this together, scientists are able to find treatments for those who experience difficulty with their circadian rhythm. It is imperative that the body regulates its circadian rhythm every time because this could start to lead to other health problems such as insomnia, diabetes, obesity. , and so on. Jet lag is a very good example of what can happen when the body's internal clock temporarily deteriorates. A person experiences the sluggish effects of jet lag when they have crossed one or more time zones. Since a person's body is accustomed to its respective time zone, an adaptation period is necessary to maintain a healthy sleep stasis. Since the body is used to sleeping at different times, when it experiences this shift it has a harmful side effect that takes several days to get used to. Jet lag is not only associated with travel, but also with people whose work schedules alter their sleep patterns, such as doctors and nurses. These people also experience their own form of leg-jet without the need to travel through spindlestimes and the same effects apply. Effects on other biological processes It affects not only how humans sleep, but also how the body metabolizes and processes food. Two genes (CLOCK and BMAL1) within the body's metabolism work together to be properly connected to the body's circadian rhythms. BMAL1 is used to jump-start metabolism to allow the body to be alert, hungry and essentially moving from the minute you are awake. In a study on mice, it was found that when these two genes or receptors were turned off, their biological systems went out of control. REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ were two cellular switches in these mice that were also correlated with their circadian rhythms. When these switches were turned off, the scientists noticed that the mice began exercising when they were supposed to be resting. They also noticed that fat and bile began to build up. This experiment was carried out in order to find the correlation between metabolism-related diseases and circadian rhythm. Their results support the argument that the two are interdependent. As we know, the body does the majority of its work at rest. When the circadian clock is compromised or altered in a negative way, it begins to affect the functioning of the body. If the body does not get enough rest, it could lead to lethargy and obesity in a person. Therefore, it is important to maintain a normal sleep schedule in order to maximize the utility of metabolism.Diseases arising from unregulated circadian rhythmsCircadian rhythm is primarily determined by genetics; however, it is heavily influenced by the organisms that use it. For example, it must be calibrated every cycle for it to work properly. Most clocks tend to run about 24 hours per cycle, but not quite. The way the rhythms work is very easy to modify and adapts to the person's lifestyle. However, this can be modified by certain factors such as work schedule issues, school or other social commitments. Diseases such as diabetes, insomnia, obesity can also lead to circadian rhythm imbalance. An imbalance can also lead to these diseases. There are treatments to prevent this from happening. It is important to adjust your schedule in the form that seems best to you. Light treatment is also used to shift the circadian rhythm to a more stable rhythm. Light therapy is very effective, but it is mainly used for extreme disorders and should only be carried out after being evaluated and treated by a professional doctor. When a patient undergoes light therapy, they are simply shown bright lights at certain times of the day depending on the severity of their condition. For example, someone with an advanced sleep disorder would receive bright light treatment in the evening to further push back their circadian clock. A person suffering from delayed sleep disorder would then receive treatment in the morning to turn back the clock. Again, these treatments are considered very effective, but should only be done after consulting a primary care physician. For less severe cases, melatonin treatment is also an effective solution. Since the SCN produces melatonin, it is a harmless chemical that the body produces and taking melatonin only produces more of it. Melatonin then spreads throughout the body to reset the clock and make you feel tired more quickly..