Biological Rhythms

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

   PDF

2. Biological Clocks at the End of the 20th Century

   • M. Menaker

   Pages 1-4

3. Clocks, Genes and Evolution: The Evolution of Circadian Organization

   • V. K. Sharma, A. Joshi

   Pages 5-23

4. Circadian Frequency and Its Variability

   • S. Daan, D. G. M. Beersma

   Pages 24-37

5. Period Doubling of Rhythmic Water Regulation in Plants

   • A. Johnsson, G. Prytz

   Pages 38-45

6. The Genetics and Molecular Biology of Circadian Clocks

   • M. Zordan, R. Costa, C. Fukuhara, G. Tosini

   Pages 46-59

7. The Circadian Systems of Cells

   • T. Roenneberg, M. Merrow

   Pages 60-70

8. Retinal Circadian Rhythms

   • G. Fleissner, G. Fleissner

   Pages 71-82

9. Perception of Natural Zeitgeber Signals

   • G. Fleissner, G. Fleissner

   Pages 83-93

10. Photoreceptors for the Circadian Clock of the Fruitfly

    • C. Helfrich-Förster, W. Engelmann

    Pages 94-106

11. Photoentrainment of Vertebrate Circadian Rhythms

    • R. G. Foster

    Pages 107-119

12. Circadian Organization in Fish and Amphibians

    • G. M. Cahill

    Pages 120-128

13. The Circadian Organization of Reptiles

    • C. Bertolucci, A. Foà, G. Tosini

    Pages 129-143

14. The Circadian Pacemaking System of Birds

    • R. Brandstätter

    Pages 144-163

15. Neurochemical Aspects of the Entrainment of the Mammalian Suprachiasmatic Circadian Pacemaker

    • H. D. Piggins, A. N. Coogan, D. J. Cutler, H. E. Reed

    Pages 164-180

16. Photoperiodism in Plants

    • P. J. Lumsden

    Pages 181-191

17. Photoperiodism in Birds and Mammals

    • S. L. Meddle, G. E. Bentley, V. M. King

    Pages 192-206

18. Ultradian Rhythms

    • M. P. Gerkema

    Pages 207-215

19. Biological Rhythms in Arctic Animals

    • E. Reierth, K.-A. Stokkan

    Pages 216-223

20. Diversity in the Circadian Response to Melatonin in Mammals

    • S. M. W. Rajaratnam, J. R. Redman

    Pages 224-231

(Chapters 11 to 14) summarise important features of the biological clock at the level of whole animal covering all vertebrate classes (fish to mammal). Chapters 15 and 16 are on long term (seasonal) rhythms in plants and higher vertebrates. Short term rhythms (ultradian rhythms), the significance of having a clock system in animals living in extreme (arctic) environments, and the diversity of circadian responses to melatonin, the key endocrine element involved in regulation of biological rhythms, have been discussed in Chapters 17 to 19. Finally, a chapter on sensitivity to light of the photoperiodic clock is added which, using vertebrate examples, illustrates the importance of wavelength and intensity of light on circadian and non-circadian functions. A well-known expert writes each chapter. When presenting information, the text provides consistent thematic coverage and feeling for the methods of investigation. Reference citation within the body of the text adequately reflects the literature as subject is developed. A chapter begins with an abstract that enables a reader to know at the first glance the important points covered in that chapter. The chapter concludes with a full citation of references included in the text, which could be useful for further reading. The book ends with a comprehensive subject index that may be useful for quick searches.

• Photopheriode
• Uhr
• biology
• circadian
• clock
• evolution
• fish
• genetics
• molecular biology
• receptor
• regulation
• reptiles
• retina
• rythm
• vertebrates

• Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India

  Vinod Kumar

Policies and ethics