Description and measurement of circadian rhythms, Computer G, Biology

Assignment Help:
The description and measurement of circadian rhythms.

Describe the standard method used for the recording and graphing of behavioral rhythms in animals, especially the use of double-plotted graphs, where the abscissa scale is 48 hours long.
Define the general terminology used to describe rhythms, including: circadian, period (tau), phase, phase relationship, nadir, acrophase.
Describe how light-dark cycles are manipulated in experiments, and become familiar with the abbreviations used to represent artificial and natural light-dark cycles.
Contrast entrained and free-running biological rhythms.
Understand that light has been the most reliable zeitgeber, or "time-giver" to life on the planet earth.

An actograph is a graphical representation of sleep/wake patterns. The darkened bars are the times of activity. The clear areas are the times of inactivity. When viewing an actograph, you should view the X and Y axis. The X axis is also called the abscissa. If the actograph is single-plotted, there are 24 hours on the x-axis. If the actograph is double-plotted, there are 48 hours on the X-axis. The Y axis tells the number of days or hours that the data was collected. Looking at the graph, you can tell if the organism has an endogenous clock of less than 24 hour or more than 24 hours. If the graph slants from right to left, there are less than 24 hours in the organism''s activity. If the graph slants from left to right, there are more than 24 hours in the organism''s activity.

Assignment

Three actographs (look closely to see the labels A, B, and C). Assume that the abscissa is either 24 or 48 hours for each actograph. You are asked to write two sentences for each actograph.

First, write a single-sentence description of the actograph, without using any of the special vocabulary you just learned; state what is going on in terms that dear old Mom would understand if you were talking to her on the phone.

Second, write a more technical sentence for each in which you provide a rough estimation of tau (the duration of the period), your understanding or best guess of the labels for the X- and Y-axes, and a statement as to whether each actograph is single- or double-plotted.

Reminder: Your completed assignment will have a total of SIX sentences, two that start out with the words, "In actograph A . . ." etc. Since two of the actographs don''t include numerical axes, you will have to make some guesses to complete this assignment.

Related Discussions:- Description and measurement of circadian rhythms, Computer G

Explain the metabolic pathways in the cornea, Explain the metabolic pathway...

Explain the metabolic pathways in the cornea. Metabolic Pathways: a. 88 per cent of glucose is utilized through glycolysis. b. Only 12 per cent of glucose utilized by

What is atrial switch operation and rastelli in heart diease, What is Atria...

What is Atrial Switch operation and Rastelli in Heart dieases? Atrial Switch Operation: (Senning or Mustard procedures) By means of a baffle the systemic venous blood could b

What is the valve that separates the aorta from the heart, What is the valv...

What is the valve that separates the aorta from the heart? What is the importance of that valve? The valve among the left ventricle and the aorta is the aortic valve. The aorti

Phospholipids exhibit important biological functions, Phospholipids exhibi...

Phospholipids exhibit  important biological functions. They are: a)  increase  the rate of fatty acid oxidation b)  act as inorganic ion carrier across the membrane c) hel

Describe the concept of soil testing, Describe the concept of soil testing ...

Describe the concept of soil testing Different grades of complex and mixed fertilizers are being marketed to suit the soil and crops of a region. The recommendations are made o

What proportion of the offspring of cross, Assuming independent assortment,...

Assuming independent assortment, what proportion of the offspring of the cross AaBbCcDd × AabbCCdd will have the aabbccdd genotype?

If jean-baptiste de lamarck was correct so result will be, If jean-Baptiste...

If jean-Baptiste de Lamarck was correct, than a. Natural selection would lead to the spread of favourable traits within a population b. Finches that stretched their beaks to access

How many layers in retina, How many Layers in retina The retina is comp...

How many Layers in retina The retina is composed of  ten  layers: a:)  Pigmented epithelium (outermost layer), b)  Neusoepithelium, rods and cones  (photoreceptors), c

Classification and features of echinodermata, Classification with its Justi...

Classification with its Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or movement of some o

Describe chemical changes in fruits and vegetables, Describe Chemical chang...

Describe Chemical changes in fruits and vegetables The detailed chemical changes that occur when fruits and vegetables are boiled in water or steamed, canned, dried or frozen,

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd