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

Explain the characterstics of acute ar murmur, Explain the characterstics o...

Explain the characterstics of Acute AR Murmur ? Characteristic: Relatively low pitched, decrescendo diastolic murmur, which may end part way through diastole. These murmurs ar

Explain the dietary management of sepsis and mods, Explain the Dietary Mana...

Explain the Dietary Management of Sepsis and MODS? Patients suffering from sepsis and/or resultant multiple system organ dysfunctions are critically ill and admitted in the int

Nutrion, what are the different modes of nutrition

what are the different modes of nutrition

Evolution, write similaritie between the two species?

write similaritie between the two species?

rumen protection of nutrient (bypass nutrients) technology, Rumen protecti...

Rumen protection of nutrient (bypass nutrients) technology The amino acid and energy requirements of medium and high yielding cows and buffaloes are not fully met from the micr

Define chromatography - basic separation technique, Define Chromatography -...

Define Chromatography - Basic Separation Technique? Chromatography is the most effective technique for the separation, purification and identification of one or more biological

Human chromosomes, HUMA N CHROMOSOMES The normal diploid (2N) chromoso...

HUMA N CHROMOSOMES The normal diploid (2N) chromosome number in human being is 46. It was given by T.H. Tjio and A. Levan in 1956. The chromosome complement of a cel

Deer, How does a deer feed

How does a deer feed

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