Phase relations between a circadian rhythm and its zeitgeber within the range of entrainment

The regular day-night changes in tissues, physiologic functions, and behavior of organisms are based on endogenous rhythmic processes which under constant conditions continue with periods slightly deviating from 24h. These ‘arcadian’ rhythms have properties of self-sustained oscillators. Under natural conditions, circadian rhythms are synchronized (entrained) to 24 h by periodic factors in the environment, the so-called ‘Zeitgebers’. In the laboratory, circadian rhythms can also be entrained to periods other than 24 h within certain limits. Data on the phase relationship between the circadian rhythm and an entraining light-dark cycle for vertebrates, insects, plants, and unicellular organisms are reviewed.     

Circadian control of meal timing during temporal isolation

The Science of Nature -     

Seasonality in freerunning circadian rhythms in man

Retrospective analysis of data collected over 15 years in normal subjects isolated from time cures showed seasonal rhythms in the circadian period of the core temperature rhythm, in the amount of sleep (both shorter in spring and longer in autumn), and in the incidence of internal desynchronisation (most often in summer). Women slept longer than men at all times of year.