suprachiasmatic nucleus

Created By:
Bittman,E.L.

About the Image

The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) contains a master circadian pacemaker. Biological rhythms are synchronized (entrained) by light and darkness. This micrograph illustrates the way in which the SCN responds to the presentation of light during the night. The stained cells express the protein product of the immediate early gene, c-Fos, as an early step in shifting the biological clock.

Steven D. Brewer -- sbrewer@bio.umass.edu
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST