What describes behaviors that follow a 24-hour day and night cycle?

Circadian rhythms are biological processes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness. These rhythms are found in all living organisms, including humans, and they regulate various physiological processes such as sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, and body temperature. The term "circadian" comes from the Latin words "circa," meaning "around," and "diem," meaning "day," which effectively captures the essence of these daily cycles.

Circadian rhythms are crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being, influencing when we feel awake and when we feel tired. They are intricately linked to the natural light-dark cycle of our environment and can be disrupted by factors such as shift work, travel across time zones, or excessive exposure to artificial light at night.

In contrast, annual patterns refer to processes that occur over the course of a year, such as seasonal behaviors in animals or migrations. Seasonal changes encompass the broader shifts that take place due to climatic variations or seasonal transitions, not specifically tied to the 24-hour cycle. Daily routines, while involving activities that may align with circadian rhythms, do not inherently describe the biological processes that govern those rhythms themselves. Therefore, circadian rhythms are the most accurate term to describe behaviors that are