photoperiod

Photoperiod refers to the duration of daylight hours in a 24-hour period. It influences biological processes in many organisms, including plants and animals, by signaling environmental changes such as seasons. Longer days typically occur in summer, triggering phenomena like flowering or breeding, while shorter days happen in winter, prompting dormancy or migration. Organisms have evolved mechanisms to detect and respond to these changes in light exposure, helping them adapt to seasonal variations and optimize survival and reproduction.