Question

What is the evidence that the SCN is the master oscillator?

Answer 1

What is the evidence that the SCN is the master oscillator?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus is a small region that is present in the brain in the region of hypothalamus. This is present directly above optic Chiasma. This is the organ that is responsible for the control of the circadian rhythm. There is regulation of a number of different body functions as it uses 20,000 neurons. This nuclei would be interacting with several other brain regions. It is present in the anterior part of hypothalamus. There are many aspects of human behavior that demonstrate rhythmicity such as the physical activities, sleep, levels of hormones, immune functions, body temperatures as well as the immune functions. The SCN carries out coordination’s of all these rhythmic patterns and if the SCN was not functioning properly, the rhythmicity of body would be destroyed.

SCN keeps the control in the body as it synchronises the “slave oscillators which may be exhibiting their own rhythms. Hence, the SCN controls all of these oscillations, becoming the master oscillator.