α The generation and importance of circadian rhythms through the action of clock genes in the endocrine pancreas

Higher vertebrates have evolved mechanisms to measure time and to adopt body functions to the physical change of night and day. These so-called „biological clocks“ generate a rhythm with a phase length (τ) of approximately 24 hr. To adjust these „circa-dian“ clocks to the exact 24h day, these endogen biological clocks need to be adjusted, or synchronized. In mammals, the central circadian oscillator is localized in specialized neurons of the hypothalamic nucleus suprachiasmaticus (SCN). On a molecular level, the circadian rhythm is generated due to the activity of so-called „clock“ genes. These genes code for ei…