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The Brain’s Internal Clock That Measures a Twenty‑Four‑Hour Day

A small area in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus acts as the body’s master timekeeper.

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Key Points

4 points

The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the brain’s central biological clock.

It creates a daily cycle called the circadian rhythm.

Light information from the eyes resets the clock each day.

Disruptions to this clock can affect sleep, mood, and metabolism.

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It generates a roughly twenty‑four‑hour rhythm, known as the circadian rhythm, that regulates sleep, hunger, and hormone release.

Light entering the eyes sends signals to this region, keeping the rhythm synchronized with the external day‑night cycle.

Scientists study the clock to understand sleep disorders and improve overall health.

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4 words

suprachiasmatic nucleus

a tiny group of brain cells that works as the main body clock

circadian rhythm

the natural twenty‑four‑hour cycle of body functions

hormone

a chemical messenger that tells parts of the body what to do

metabolism

how the body turns food into energy

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