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Circadian Contributions to Survival

  • Conference paper
Book cover Vertebrate Circadian Systems

Part of the book series: Proceedings in Life Sciences ((LIFE SCIENCES))

Abstract

The significance of biological rhythms can be discussed under at least two aspects. They serve, on the one hand, to attain an optimal temporal arrangement of animal behaviour within the cycles of the environment, as in the four “circa-clocks” (Aschoff 1981). On the other hand, this external adaptation results in internal temporal order which in itself may have selective value. In addition, there are many rhythmic processes within the organism, not related to any environmental periodicity, which in various ways contribute to the maintenance of functional integrity of the internal milieu (Aschoff and Wever 1961). In focussing on how circadian rhythms contribute to survival, we do well to consider them, first, as part of a spectrum of rhythms and to evaluate their possible intrinsic function regardless of the environmental day-night cycle. We then will proceed to a discussion of possible benefits to be derived from the adjustment to the periodic environment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoological Laboratory, Groningen University, Haren, Netherlands

    S. Daan

  2. Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8138, Andechs, Germany

    J. Aschoff

Authors
  1. S. Daan
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  2. J. Aschoff
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8138, Andechs, Germany

    Jürgen Aschoff

  2. Zoologisch Laboratorium, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Kerklaan 30, NL-Haren, The Netherlands

    Serge Daan

  3. National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20205, USA

    Gerard A. Groos

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© 1982 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg

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Daan, S., Aschoff, J. (1982). Circadian Contributions to Survival. In: Aschoff, J., Daan, S., Groos, G.A. (eds) Vertebrate Circadian Systems. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68651-1_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68651-1_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-68653-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-68651-1

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