Pineal gland, Biology

Assignment Help:

PINEAL GLAND (EPIPHYSIS CEREBRI) -

  • It develops from the ectoderm of the embryo.
  • The pineal gland is located between the cerebral hemispheres, where it protrudes from the roof of the third ventricle.
  • The pineal gland is a small rounded body which consists of pineal cells and supporting glial cells.

Hormone - Melatonin concentration in the blood appears to flow a diurnal (day-night) cycle as it arises, in the evening and through the night and drops to a low around noon. Because of this light mediated response, the pineal gland may act as a kind of "biological clock" which may produce circadian rhythms (variations following a 24 hour cycle).

  • Melatonin lightens skin colour in certain animals and regulates working of gonads (testes and ovaries).
  • Light falling on the retina of the eye decreases melatonin production, darkness stimulates melatonin synthesis.

                      Girls blind from birth attain puberty earlier than normal, apparently because there is no                             inhibitory effect of melatonin on ovarian function.

  • Serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in other locations in the brain, is also found in the pineal gland. Research evidence is accumulating to support the idea that the pineal gland may be involved in regulating cyclic phenomena in the body.
  • In man the pineal gland starts to calcify at about the time of puberty. Such calcium deposits are called the brain sand.

Related Discussions:- Pineal gland

Explain insect resistant crops, Insect resistant crops (IRC) Should...

Insect resistant crops (IRC) Should reduce use of insecticides. This is beneficial to environment because: more beneficial insects around as they are not killed by ins

Biological sickness of soil, what is biological sickness of soil and its ma...

what is biological sickness of soil and its management

What is prokaryotic chromosomes, The DNA of a bacterial cell,such as Escher...

The DNA of a bacterial cell,such as Escherichia coli is a circular double-stranded molecule  often  referred  to as the bacterial  chromosome.  The circular  DNA  is packaged into

Determine uses of soybean protein, Determine uses of Soybean protein? S...

Determine uses of Soybean protein? Soybean protein concentrates have been used as stabilized dispersions in milk- like beverages and simulated dairy products, such as sour crea

Ventilation of gills, Ventilation of Gills Various mechanical devices ...

Ventilation of Gills Various mechanical devices are used to increase the flow of water over the gill's surface. There can be two means of increasing the flow of water over the

Determine the importance of educational history- assessment, Determine the ...

Determine the importance of Educational History- assessment  A complete school history includes information regarding a child's current grade placement, any grade repetitions o

State the term- hue, State the term- Hue Hue  is the dominant spectral ...

State the term- Hue Hue  is the dominant spectral colour (rainbow) and is related to the wavelength of light. In Munsell system there are five principal hues; red (R), yellow (

Explain evolutionary relationship among animal groups, Evolutionary relatio...

Evolutionary relationship among various animal groups is depicted in the cladogram given below. P, Q and R respectively shown: a.  Vertebrae, hair and four limbs. b.  B

History of plant classification, Q. History of plant classification? Be...

Q. History of plant classification? Before Darwin's theory of evolution and publication of his epoch making work 'Origin of Species' in 1959 no outstanding basis for the classi

Name some standard activation energy, The standard free energy change and s...

The standard free energy change and standard activation energy for four biochemical reactions are listed in the table below: A few interpretations are given below. Between thes

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd