Plant Circadian Rhythms: An Overview

All living organisms on Earth have adapted to the daily 24 h of day/night cycle by evolving circadian rhythms or what is often called as circadian clocks. The circadian rhythms regulate almost every aspects of life including metabolism and behavior. They have been observed in physiological, developmental, biochemical and transcriptional activities [1]. In plants, circadian rhythms regulate traits such as the movements of leaves, organs, stomata, and even growth and signaling. The circadian rhythms in plants are controlled by light and temperature signals from the environment. The relative timing of internal and external processes depends upon a complex interplay of interacting rhythmic controls and environmental signals. The mechanisms by which circadian behavior is regulated, the processes that control circadian behavior and the adaptive advantages gained by circadian control are poorly understood.