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GCSE Psychology · key term
A small region in the hypothalamus that acts as a biological clock, receiving information about light and helping regulate the sleep–wake cycle.
Used by OCR
Paper 2
Revise: Functions and Disorders of SleepA key example is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a small region of the hypothalamus in the brain. It helps coordinate daily changes in alertness, body temperature and hormone release.
A group of cells in the hypothalamus that helps regulate the body's daily sleep–wake rhythm.
Explain the whole sleep-regulation pathway: light information reaches the SCN, which influences the pineal gland’s release of melatonin.
Keep internal clocks and external cues distinct: the SCN is an endogenous pacemaker; light is an exogenous zeitgeber.
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