lisäzeitgeber

Lisäzeitgeber is a German term that translates to "additional zeitgeber." In chronobiology, a zeitgeber is any external or internal cue that entrains, or synchronizes, an organism's biological rhythms to a specific time period, most commonly the 24-hour day-night cycle. Zeitgebers can include light, temperature, social cues, and feeding schedules.

An "lisäzeitgeber," therefore, refers to any factor that contributes to this synchronization beyond the primary or most dominant zeitgeber, which is typically light. For instance, while light is a powerful zeitgeber for humans, the timing of meals or social interactions can act as lisäzeitgebers, reinforcing or modifying the overall entrainment of the circadian clock.

The concept of lisäzeitgeber is important because biological rhythms are not solely dictated by a single cue. The interplay of multiple zeitgebers can lead to more robust and stable synchronization. Conversely, the disruption of lisäzeitgebers, even if the primary zeitgeber remains present, can sometimes lead to desynchronization and associated health issues. Understanding lisäzeitgebers helps in comprehending the complexity of biological timing and how environmental factors influence our internal clocks. Researchers study these additional cues to better understand phenomena like jet lag, shift work disorder, and the impact of modern lifestyles on sleep and wakefulness patterns.