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Circadian and Circannual Clocks in Living Things. Daily and Seasonal Timing. Many Living Things Have a Internal Clocks. DAILY. SEASONAL. Regulates seasonal changes in gene expression and behavior. Regulates daily cycle of activities. Circadian Rhythm are Endogenous.
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Circadian and Circannual Clocks in Living Things Daily and Seasonal Timing
Many Living Things Have a Internal Clocks DAILY SEASONAL Regulates seasonal changes in gene expression and behavior • Regulates daily cycle of activities
Circadian Rhythm are Endogenous • Occur internally- do not require environmental cues • BUT can be altered by environmental cues
Under Genetic Control • We have genes that control these rhythms • But environment can change gene expression
Evolutionary Adaptations • Daily and seasonal changes are genetic characteristics that have evolved because their presence is advantageous • Natural selection has favored these traits
Circadian Rhythms in Plants • Change in leaf orientation • Opening of stomata – pores in the leaf • Opening of flowers and release of fragrance
Observations of Plants • Leaves happened at nearly same time every day, even on cloudy days • BUT artificial light at different times confuses the plant’s internal clock
Circadian Rhythm in Animals • Closely tied to sleep-wake cycle
Light Might Inhibit Melatonin Release • Melatonin thought to control sleep urges • Concerns artificial lights prevent melatonin release and keep people awake
Seasonal Clocks • Affect gene expression • Control things like: • Shedding of coats • Reproduction • Hibernation • Migration
Photoperiodism in Plants • Plants measure length of night • Certain night length triggers flowering
How? • Light changes structure of phytochrome protein • Longer the darkness, the more Pr there is
Short Day vs. Long Day Plants Flower in spring/summer
In Animals • Light absorption by the eye triggers change in gene expression • Thought to be mediated by melatonin
Shedding of Coats or Changing of Color • Arctic Wolf in Summer • Arctic Wolf in Winter
Seasonal Reproduction • Many species only reproduce in spring or summer • When more food (energy) is abundant
Hibernation • Helps conserve energy when little food available
Migration • Changes in light trigger hormone changes • As there’s less light birds build up fat for journey • BUT also occurs in birds in captivity with consistent light sources • BUT reducing light brings about changes in behavior