Ultradian rhythm
Ultradian Rhythm
Ultradian rhythm (pronounced: ul-tray-dee-an rhythm) is a recurrent period or cycle repeated throughout a 24-hour circadian day. In the field of Chronobiology, ultradian rhythms refer to biological rhythms with a period shorter than 24 hours.
Etymology
The term "Ultradian" is derived from the Latin ultra, meaning "beyond", and dies, "day". It is used to describe cycles that are shorter than a day but longer than an hour.
Description
Ultradian rhythms are prevalent in the functioning of the human body. They regulate various biological activities such as feeding, cognitive functioning, mood, sleep stages, and hormone production. For instance, the human sleep cycle, which involves alternating periods of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, is a classic example of an ultradian rhythm.
Related Terms
- Circadian Rhythm: A natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
- Infradian Rhythm: Biological rhythms that last for more than 24 hours. They are often annual, such as the migration of birds, or menstrual cycles in humans.
- Chronobiology: A field of biology that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar-related rhythms.
- Biological Rhythm: Any cyclic change in the level of a bodily chemical or function.
- Sleep Cycle: A period of NREM sleep followed by a brief period of REM sleep.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ultradian rhythm
- Wikipedia's article - Ultradian rhythm
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