A linear oscillator model for circadian rhythms: implications for phase response curves.
The underlying oscillator of circadian rhythms is assumed to be of a linear simple harmonic kind. Both pulse and step perturbations of positive and negative kinds are used to disturb the system theoretically. Phase response and phase-resetting curves are obtained and the results are compared with existing experimental data (namely Drosophila eclosion rhythm). It is demonstrated that the form and mirror-image symmetry of the response curves do appear similar to what is observed in real experiments. This is strongly indicative of the possibility that the underlying oscillator (or oscillators) is (are) not structurally stable.
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004330:Drosophila; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013696:Temperature