The Biological Clock in Mammals

The biological clock in mammals, primarily regulated by the circadian rhythm, is an internal system that controls daily physiological and behavioral processes, such as sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, body temperature, and metabolism. Located in the brain's hypothalamus, specifically the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), it receives light signals from the eyes to synchronize these processes with the 24-hour day-night cycle. This internal timing mechanism helps mammals adapt to their environment, maintain health, and optimize functioning by aligning bodily activities with external light and dark periods.