New trends in photobiology Biological clocks: mechanisms and developments

Abstract

Almost all organisms ranging from unicellular protists to mammals were found to show biological rhythms. Many workers have performed various kinds of experiment to understand the mechanism as well as to find the origin of the clock responsible for these rhythms. However, there is no doubt about the existence of a biologically controlled clock in almost all organisms; yet its origin and mechanism still remain a mystery. Many theories have been put forward to explain the mechanism of these biological clocks and it seems that the cell membrane may play a key role. The existence of a very high electric field of the order of 10⁵ V cm⁻¹ across the cell membrane may have some role in the mechanism of the biological clock. Of all the factors which have the effects on biological rhythms, light and temperature are found to be the most common. Also, the study of these biological clocks can help to solve the sleeping problems of international travellers and shift workers as well as to improve diagnosis, cure and prevention from diseases.