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Endogenous Pacemakers

Endogenous pacemakers are internal mechanisms that govern biological rhythms, in particular the circadian sleep/wake cycle. Although endogenous pacemakers are internal biological clocks, they can be affected by the environment. The most important endogenous pacemaker is the suprachiasmatic nucleus which is closely linked to the pineal gland, both of which are influential in maintaining the circadian sleep-wake cycle.