Biological clocks: endogenous cycles synchronized by subtle geophysical rhythms

Area of Science:

• Chronobiology
• Geophysics
• Biophysics

Background:

• Biological clocks regulate endogenous cycles. Geophysical cues (Zeitgebers) synchronize these internal rhythms.
• Organisms exhibit sensitivity to atmospheric electromagnetic forces, influencing biological timing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a unified explanation for biological clocks and their timed rhythms.
• To elucidate the role of electromagnetic forces and phase-response systems in biological timing.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of organismic sensitivity to atmospheric electromagnetic forces.
• Examination of asymmetrical phase-response systems in biological clocks.
• Modeling of endogenous cycles and their synchronization by geophysical Zeitgebers.

Main Results:

• A simple, unified explanation for biological clocks and their timed rhythms was developed.
• Biological clocks were found to be accurate endogenous cycles synchronized by geophysical Zeitgebers.
• Freely phase-labile rhythms were observed to autophase under constant conditions, generating diverse frequencies.

Conclusions:

• Organismic sensitivity to electromagnetic forces offers a unified explanation for biological clocks.
• Geophysical Zeitgebers ensure the accuracy of endogenous biological clocks.
• Phase-labile rhythms can generate multiple overt frequencies through autophasing.