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 the prokaryotic cells in details, Explain the Prokaryotic Cells in ...

Explain the Prokaryotic Cells in details? Prokaryotic Cells: Cells that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and have very few distinguishable internal structures when observed wit

What dna and rna are polymers composed are called, DNA and RNA are polymers...

DNA and RNA are polymers composed of repeated units called?

How to explain the high level of radiation resistance, Deinococcus radiodur...

Deinococcus radiodurans is a bacterium that was isolated from cooling ponds in and around nuclear power plants. It is highly resistant to ionizing radiation. Propose a hypothesis t

List the advantages of stage 2 surgery using a tissue punch, List the advan...

List the advantages and disadvantages of stage 2 surgery using a tissue punch. Advantages - Less traumatic to surrounding tissue - Faster progress to the impression proce

Explain the process of nuclear reorganization, Process of nuclear reorganiz...

Process of nuclear reorganization in protozoa in which nucleus divides, each half undergoes a maturation, and two persisting functional nuclei reunite is termed as: a) Autogamy

What is eutrophication, What is eutrophication? Eutrophication is the p...

What is eutrophication? Eutrophication is the process of excessive enhancing of nutrients, like phosphate and nitrate, in water because of direct deposit of non treated sewage.

Define regulation and excretion of sodium and chloride, Define Regulation a...

Define Regulation and Excretion of sodium and chloride? Renal excretion and retention of these elements is closely regulated. The total content of body sodium especially the co

What do you mean by maxilla, Q. What do you mean by Maxilla? The maxill...

Q. What do you mean by Maxilla? The maxilla has ample keratinized tissue that covers the entire palate. This tissue is well-attached and more difficult to mobilize. Nevertheles

Management goals for diverticular disease, Q. Management goals for divertic...

Q. Management goals for diverticular disease? The management goals discussed above are basic to prevention of diverticulitis. However, diet therapy during diverticulitis may b

Y-linked traits in humans, Y-Linked traits in humans Any gene that occu...

Y-Linked traits in humans Any gene that occurs exclusively on the Y chromosome is said to be holandric and it is not expressed in females. Such a Y-linked gene normally occurs

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