biological clock


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Related to biological clock: circadian rhythm

biological clock

n.
1. An internal mechanism in organisms that controls the periodicity of various functions or activities, such as metabolic changes, sleep cycles, or photosynthesis.
2.
a. The time period during which a person who desires to have a biological child, especially a woman approaching the decline of reproductive capability, is still able to do so.
b. The capacity to be fertile, especially in such a woman: She was eager to have a child before her biological clock stopped working.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

biological clock

n
1. (Biology) an inherent periodicity in the physiological processes of living organisms that is not dependent on the periodicity of external factors
2. (Biology) the hypothetical mechanism responsible for this periodicity
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

biolog′ical clock′


n.
1. an innate mechanism of the body that regulates its rhythmic and periodic cycles, as that of sleeping and waking.
2. such a mechanism perceived as inexorably marking the passage of one's youth and esp. one's ability to bear children.
[1950–55]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

bi·o·log·i·cal clock

(bī′ə-lŏj′ĭ-kəl)
An internal system of organisms that controls the cycle of various functions, such as sleep cycles in mammals and photosynthesis in plants. See Note at circadian rhythm.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.biological clock - an innate mechanism in living organisms that controls the periodicity of many physiological functionsbiological clock - an innate mechanism in living organisms that controls the periodicity of many physiological functions
mechanism - a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function; "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
biológiai óra

biological clock

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

biological clock

norologio biologico
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
References in periodicals archive ?
"But restricting food intake to 10 hours a day, and fasting the rest, can lead to better health, regardless of our biological clock," he added.
Keeping the criminals in dark cells of prisons even in very old times was meant to disturb their biological clocks. The ancient observers noticed that plants, animals and humans had a biological clock that adjusted them for the fluctuations of the day.
Their work with fruit flies brings more insight to how genes play a significant role in shaping our biological clock, leading to more research in this area.
THREE Americans have won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries about the body's biological clock - opening up new fields of research and raising awareness about the importance of getting enough sleep.
The post 'Biological clock' scientists win 2017 Nobel Medicine Prize appeared first on Cyprus Mail .
Young for their discoveries of mechanisms for biological clocks, which enabled "a peek inside our biological clock and elucidate its inner workings."
The findings provide insight into how the biological clock is regulated and could lead to the development of new therapies for individuals with an altered circadian rhythm, including night shift workers and those suffering from jet lag.
Explaining the concept of the 'biological clock', Dr Boheira Al Geyoushi, medical director of the clinic, said: "By biological clock we mean the fertility levels of a woman which are measured by the number of eggs her ovaries produce.
It is well known that such working patterns can interfere with the body's circadian rhythm, which is an approximate 24-hour cycle controlled by an internal biological clock.
Gynaecologist Dr Geeta Nargund called on the Government to introduce fertility lessons into the national curriculum so that girls are fully informed about their biological clock.

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