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Melatonin
- 6 dictionary resultsmel⋅a⋅to⋅nin
[mel-uh-toh-nin] 
əˈtoʊ
–noun Physiology.
| a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in inverse proportion to the amount of light received by the retina, important in the regulation of biorhythms: in amphibians, it causes a lightening of the skin. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To Melatonin
| mel·a·to·nin (měl'ə-tō'nĭn) n. A hormone derived from serotonin and produced by the pineal gland that stimulates color change in the epidermis of amphibians and reptiles and plays a role in sleep, aging, and reproduction in mammals. [Greek melās, black + ton(e) + -in.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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melatonin
1958, from Gk. melas "black" + (sero)tonin. So called because its secretion is inhibited by sunlight.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: mel·a·to·nin
Pronunciation: "mel-&-'tO-n&n
Function: noun
: a vertebrate hormoneC13H16N2O2 that is derived from serotonin, is secreted by the pineal gland especially in response to darkness, and has been linked to the regulation ofcircadian rhythms
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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melatonin mel·a·to·nin (měl'ə-tō'nĭn)
n.
A hormone derived from serotonin and produced by the pineal gland that stimulates color change in the epidermis of amphibians and reptiles and that is believed to influence estrus in mammals.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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| melatonin (měl'ə-tō'nĭn) Pronunciation Key
A hormone produced in the pineal gland that plays a role in regulating biological rhythms, including sleep and reproductive cycles. In many animals, melatonin also regulates the physiological effects that occur in response to seasonal changes, such as the growth of a winter coat of fur. Chemical formula: C13H16N2O2. Our Living Language : Melatonin, a natural hormone manufactured by the pineal gland in the brain, communicates information about light to different parts of the body. It helps regulate biological rhythms and plays an important role in the reproductive cycles of many animals. In humans it is best known for helping to regulate the body's circadian sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin production is affected by light exposure to the eyes; melatonin levels rise during the night and fall during the day, becoming almost undetectable. Though it does not actually induce sleep, melatonin can have sleep-promoting effects. Experiments have shown that at high doses melatonin lowers body temperature, decreases motor activity, and increases fatigue. Melatonin production starts falling after puberty, and it can virtually disappear in the elderly, a phenomenon which could help to explain why sleep disturbances are more prevalent among older adults. Marketed as a dietary supplement and touted as a cure-all for insomnia, jet lag, and even cancer and aging, the overall effects of melatonin on human health are still largely unknown. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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