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

Evaluate the magnitude of st depression, Q. Evaluate the Magnitude of ST De...

Q. Evaluate the Magnitude of ST Depression? It is intuitive that the magnitude of ST depression should correlate with the degree of the ischaemia. In patients with left main or

How temperature affect the rate of cellular respiration, How does temperatu...

How does temperature affect the rate of cellular respiration? Please explain with great detail!

Symbolising and language skills, Language, a powerful tool for communicatio...

Language, a powerful tool for communication should have played a very important part in the evolutionary history of human species. Two relevant questions that could be asked of hum

Define sample titration for saponification number of fats, Define Sample Ti...

Define Sample Titration for Saponification Number of Fats? Measure 2 ml of oil with the help of a pipette and transfer this oil to a 250 ml conical flask. Add 40 ml of alcoholi

Anatomy of the brain, In order to be able to study the neural basis of perc...

In order to be able to study the neural basis of perceptual and cognitive functions, it is necessary to have some knowledge of brain anatomy (i.e., what the names of different brai

How do they affect the processing of genetic information, Q. What are intro...

Q. What are introns, and how do they affect the processing of genetic information? Introns, a feature of eukaryotic DNA, are intervening stretches of DNA lying between the exon

Pectin, PECTIN It consists of methylated galacturonic acid, galactos...

PECTIN It consists of methylated galacturonic acid, galactose & arabinose. It is also called plant cement becuase it binds layers of cell wall. It is a structural poly

Evolution, species dynamicsresemble what

species dynamicsresemble what

What is the prevention of perinatal transmission, Prevention of perinatal t...

Prevention of perinatal transmission  Zidovudine alone, started at 14-34 weeks of gestation and continued in the infant for the first 6 weeks of life, reduced HIV transmission

Dna vs protein, Describe the difference between dna and protein. (structura...

Describe the difference between dna and protein. (structural unit, linkage bond, primary and spatial structure)

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