Title: Body Atlas; “The Body Clock” and “Food Machine“

Director: Thelma Rumsey

Character: Brian


Synopsis:

All humans are governed by a 24-hour "biological clock".
The "clock" resides in the brain's hypothalamus. It undergoes seasonal as well as daily changes. A sort of "third eye" resets the hypothalamus.

It night the hypothalamus releases melatonin assisting sleep. It stops when we open our eyes each morning, resetting the clock.
When the body is out of synchronization, as in jet lag, there is a resulting clash or hormones causing fatigue and disorientation.

The brain is the electrical control system; the several glands are the chemical control system.

Each glandular clock operates separately but the brain's pituitary gland keeps each of them in order by releasing a half dozen separate hormones.

The pituitary gland weighs only 1/40 oz. It periodically instructs the other glands to release their own hormones.

In the early morning the pituitary targets the adrenal glands to "tune up" the body and to produce cortisol, giving the body an initial burst of energy.

Later on the inner adrenals release the alertness hormone, adrenalin.

Threat causes a release of adrenalin; anger causes a release of noradrenalin. Both can release at the same time. They are only one atom apart. The normal ratio is 4: 1 adrenalin.

In Chris' emergency his pupils dilate to improve eyesight, breathing is faster and deeper to increase oxygen, saliva and mucous dry to increase air passage, the heart speeds up to increase blood to brain and muscles, he perspires to cool his skin, muscles tighten for rapid movement, digestion slows to conserve energy, and his blood prepares to clot or fight infection.

The thyroid produces thyroxine to control growth, controls the rate at which we turn food into body tissue, and acts as the body's thermostat.

The brain is fueled by glucose delivered by blood. When blood sugar is low. we are tired and hungry.

The pancreas pours out insulin which removes sugar from the blood for later use. Glucagon puts sugar back into the blood.

At night the pituitary steps up growth hormones to repair the day's damage. We are most defenseless at night.