biological clock

• Mécanisme biologique interne qui rythme les processus physiologiques comme le sommeil, la faim et la sécrétion d'hormones chez les organismes vivants. Peut aussi désigner la baisse naturelle de la fertilité avec l'âge.

An internal biological mechanism that regulates the timing of physiological processes, such as sleep, hunger, and hormone release, in living organisms. It can also refer to the natural decline in fertility with age.

1. Internal timekeeping systemB2formal

   An innate mechanism in living organisms that regulates periodic physiological and behavioral processes, such as sleep-wake cycles and hormone release.

   horloge biologique

   • Jet lag occurs when your biological clock is disrupted by traveling across time zones.
   • The human biological clock is influenced by light and darkness.
   • Shift workers often struggle because their biological clock is out of sync with their schedule.

2. Fertility timelineB2informal

   A metaphorical term referring to the period in a person's life when they are physically able to have children, often used in the context of social pressure or personal planning.

   horloge biologique

   • She felt her biological clock was ticking, so she decided to start a family soon.
   • Many people worry about their biological clock as they approach their late thirties.
   • The concept of a biological clock can create anxiety about reproductive timing.