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

Types of endoplasmic reticulum, TYPES E.R. consists of two types -     ...

TYPES E.R. consists of two types -        1. Rough E.R.                2. Smooth E.R.   R o ugh E.R.   S m o o th E.R.

Define bioactive materials, Q. Define Bioactive materials? Bioactive ma...

Q. Define Bioactive materials? Bioactive materials: Certain glasses, ceramics, and glass-ceramics that contain oxides of silicon, sodium, calcium and phosphorus (SiO 2 , Na 2

What is mdrtb, What is MDRTB MDRTB - For patients with known exposure t...

What is MDRTB MDRTB - For patients with known exposure to multi-drug resistant TB (MDRTB) and a high risk of developing active TB, there are no data-based recommendations. Regi

Ecology, Benefits of energy pyramids

Benefits of energy pyramids

Greenfields hollow implant, In 1906, Greenfield described the fabrication a...

In 1906, Greenfield described the fabrication and insertion of an endossoeus implant. He for the first time, used a basket shaped, round, hollow implant made of an iridium-platinu

Define the term - cholera, Define the term - Cholera Cholera is caused...

Define the term - Cholera Cholera is caused by the gram negative,  V. cholerae, which is acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated  by faecal material from patients or

What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism, What is the differ...

What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism? Metabolism comprises two opposing processes: anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is a set of synthesis reactions that t

What is catalyzes a substrate level phosphorylation, The enzyme in the TCA ...

The enzyme in the TCA cycle that catalyzes a substrate level phosphorylation is -citrate dehydrogenase -succinate thiokinase -isocitrate dehydrogenase

Explain genotypical and phenotypical forms, In the F2 generation of hybridi...

In the F2 generation of hybridization for a given trait conditioned by a pair of alleles T and t, according to Mendel's first law what are the genotypes of each phenotypical form?

Define phenolic acids and derivatives, Define Phenolic Acids and Derivative...

Define Phenolic Acids and Derivatives? Two families of phenolic acids are widely distributed in plants: a range of benzoic acid derivatives and those derived from cinnamic acid

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