Which physiological cycle lasts about 24 hours in all eukaryotic organisms?

Study for the AP Psychology exam - Biological Bases of Behavior section. Explore multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your test!

The correct answer is circadian rhythm, which refers to the approximately 24-hour cycle in the physiological processes of living organisms, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, and other bodily functions. Circadian rhythms are regulated by an internal biological clock, which coordinates various functions to align with the day-night cycle, responding to external cues such as light and darkness.

Circadian rhythms are crucial for maintaining the overall health and functioning of organisms, influencing sleep patterns and other behaviors. Eukaryotic organisms, ranging from humans to plants, exhibit these rhythms, which allow them to adapt to the predictable changes in their environment over the course of a day.

The other options describe different concepts; ultradian rhythms refer to cycles shorter than 24 hours, homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment but does not specifically relate to timing, and the biological clock is more about the mechanism that regulates rhythms rather than a specific cycle duration. Thus, the concept of circadian rhythm specifically describes the ubiquitous 24-hour cycle found across eukaryotic life.

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