Pineal gland, Biology

Assignment Help:

PINEAL GLAND (EPIPHYSIS CEREBRI) -

  • It develops from the ectoderm of the embryo.
  • The pineal gland is located between the cerebral hemispheres, where it protrudes from the roof of the third ventricle.
  • The pineal gland is a small rounded body which consists of pineal cells and supporting glial cells.

Hormone - Melatonin concentration in the blood appears to flow a diurnal (day-night) cycle as it arises, in the evening and through the night and drops to a low around noon. Because of this light mediated response, the pineal gland may act as a kind of "biological clock" which may produce circadian rhythms (variations following a 24 hour cycle).

  • Melatonin lightens skin colour in certain animals and regulates working of gonads (testes and ovaries).
  • Light falling on the retina of the eye decreases melatonin production, darkness stimulates melatonin synthesis.

                      Girls blind from birth attain puberty earlier than normal, apparently because there is no                             inhibitory effect of melatonin on ovarian function.

  • Serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in other locations in the brain, is also found in the pineal gland. Research evidence is accumulating to support the idea that the pineal gland may be involved in regulating cyclic phenomena in the body.
  • In man the pineal gland starts to calcify at about the time of puberty. Such calcium deposits are called the brain sand.

Related Discussions:- Pineal gland

What is deletion of cell, What is Deletion of cell? A deletion is simpl...

What is Deletion of cell? A deletion is simply when a tip or fragment of a chromosome breaks off and fails to reattach itself to the chromosome from which it came. The gene, or

Clathrin-coated pits and vesicles, Clathrin-coated pits and vesicles are in...

Clathrin-coated pits and vesicles are included in both the endocytosis   of material   at the plasma membrane and the exocytosis of proteins from the Golgi   apparatus.  Electron

If cell itself was hypertonic to the solution, What would happen to a cell ...

What would happen to a cell if it was placed into a hypertonic solution? Into a hypotonic solution? What would happen to a cell if the cell itself was hypertonic to the solution?

Define amylopectin - carbohydrates, Define Amylopectin - carbohydrates? ...

Define Amylopectin - carbohydrates? Amylopectin differs from amylose in being highly branched. Short side chains of about 30 glucose units are attached with α (1-6) linkages ap

What are the flat bones and the long bones, Q. What are the flat bones and ...

Q. What are the flat bones and the long bones? The main bones of the body may be classified as long or flat bones there are bones not classified into these categories. Instance

Explain the diet prescription, The diet prescription The diet prescrip...

The diet prescription The diet prescription designates the type, amount and frequency of feeding based on an individual's disease process and disease management goals. The dis

Pangenesis theory - pre-mendelian theory, Pangenesis Theory (i)        ...

Pangenesis Theory (i)         Charles Darwin propounded pangenesis theory. (ii)         According to this theory every cell, of animal body produces many minute particles kn

Explain some handy points related to infant feeding, Explain some Handy Poi...

Explain some Handy Points related to Infant Feeding? Points to be kept in mind: • Introduce only one food at a time, giving only small amounts at first • Increase variety s

An a=t mispairing leads to an a=c substitution, An A=T mispairing leads to ...

An A=T mispairing leads to an A=C substitution. The other DNA helix will contain a(n) __ pair. a. A=C b. A=T c. G=C d. B=Q e. T=T Can you also explain it please so if I'm ask

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