chronobiology

American  

[kron-oh-bahy-ol-uh-jee] / ˌkrɒn oʊ baɪˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the science or study of the effect of time, especially rhythms, on living systems.

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chronobiology British  

/ ˌkrəʊnə-, ˌkrɒnəbaɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of biology concerned with the periodicity occurring in living organisms See also biological clock circadian

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Other Word Forms

• chronobiological adjective
• chronobiologist noun

Etymology

Origin of chronobiology

First recorded in 1975–80; chrono- + biology

Example Sentences

But diurnal animals like humans, and crepuscular animals, like cats, that are naturally at their most active at dawn and at dusk, also have exquisitely calibrated chronobiology, with hormone patterns that change according to the light and processes that take place during either daytime, when the sun is out, or nighttime, when it's not.

From Salon

"This study revealed genetic and non-genetic changes in biological rhythms while adapting to tidal environments in a freshwater snail. This result could lead to an understanding of the role of biological clocks in the adaptation to rhythmic environment, which is one of the most important issues in chronobiology," says Dr. Takahashi.

From Science Daily

The body clock has a significant impact on the performance of NBA players, according to study published in the peer-reviewed journal Chronobiology International.

From Science Daily

In fact, for chronobiology, which focuses on organisms' internal clocks, this distant relative of the dew worm has become one of the most important model species.

From Science Daily

"This method of light stimulation allows us to separate the light properties that may play a role in how light effects humans in a clean experimental way," says Manuel Spitschan, Professor of Chronobiology and Health at the Technical University of Munich, who was also involved in the study.

From Science Daily