Friedrich Stephan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Friedrich Stephan
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| Born | May 27, 1941 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Circadian physiology |
Dr. Friedrich Karl Stephan was born on May 27, 1941. He is an American professor who studies how our bodies work, especially our internal clocks. He is a special professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Florida State University.
Dr. Stephan is famous for finding the "body clock" in our brains. This part is called the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Contents
What Dr. Stephan Studies
Dr. Stephan's work helps us understand our body's natural rhythms. These rhythms are like an internal clock that tells our bodies what to do and when.
The Body's Internal Clock
Our bodies have a natural schedule called a circadian rhythm. This rhythm controls things like when we feel sleepy or awake. It also affects our hunger and other body functions.
Dr. Stephan looks at where these clocks are located in animals. He also studies how they work.
How Light and Food Affect Us
Light and food are very important for setting our body clocks. Dr. Stephan researches how these signals help keep our internal clocks on time. For example, light in the morning tells our bodies it's time to wake up.
Other Important Research Areas
Dr. Stephan also studies how our body clocks relate to other parts of our health.
- Sleep: He researches how our internal clocks affect when and how well we sleep.
- Weight: His work includes looking at how body clocks might play a role in obesity.
- Reproduction: He also studies how these clocks influence how living things make babies.
His discovery of the suprachiasmatic nucleus was a big step. It helped scientists understand how our bodies keep time.
