Circadian Rhythms: A Very Short Introduction by Russell Foster (English) Paperba

Publisher Description

The earth's daily rotation affects just about every living creature. From dawn through to dusk, there are changes in light, temperature, humidity, and rainfall. However, these changes are regular, rhythmic and, therefore, predictable. Thus, the near 24 hour circadian rhythm is innate: a genetically programmed clock that essentially ticks of its own accord. This Very Short Introduction explains how organisms can "know" the time andreveals what we now understand of the nature and operation of chronobiological processes. Covering variables such as light, the metabolism, human health, and the seasons, Foster and Kreitzman illustrate how jet lagand shift work can impact on human well-being, and consider circadian rhythms alongside a wide range of disorders, from schizophrenia to obesity.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to makeinteresting and challenging topics highly readable.

Table of Contents

1: Introduction2: How the clock works3: Light and the clock4: Synchronising the clock5: Day/night cycle6: Clocks and metabolism7: Clocks and human health8: The seasonal clock9: Where did the clocks come fromFurther readingIndex

Review

Circadian Rhythms is an ideal companion to Sleep, another excellent book in the same series and co-authored by Foster ... Foster and Kreitzman delve into the molecular biology that underlies the circadian rhythms, but they do so clearly and gradually. So even if you're not a biologist you'll be able to follow the discussions. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *
excellent * David Lorimer, Network Review *

Promotional

An overview of how organisms' chronobiological processes work, covering topics like light, metabolism, human health, and the seasons.

Long Description

The earth's daily rotation affects just about every living creature. From dawn through to dusk, there are changes in light, temperature, humidity, and rainfall. However, these changes are regular, rhythmic and, therefore, predictable. Thus, the near 24 hour circadian rhythm is innate: a genetically programmed clock that essentially ticks of its own accord. This Very Short Introduction explains how organisms can "know" the time and
reveals what we now understand of the nature and operation of chronobiological processes. Covering variables such as light, the metabolism, human health, and the seasons, Foster and Kreitzman illustrate how jet lag
and shift work can impact on human well-being, and consider circadian rhythms alongside a wide range of disorders, from schizophrenia to obesity.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make
interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Review Quote

Excellent.

Feature

Offers a comprehensive description of the science behind circadian rhythms
Describes how biological clocks enable animals to anticipate the regular daily changes in the external environment and synchronise their activities so as to maximise their chances of survival and reproduction
Describes how our own behaviour is regulated by our biological clocks over a 24 hour period
Part of the bestselling Very Short Introductions series - over seven million copies sold worldwide

Details