biological clock

• Mecanismo biológico interno que regula o ritmo temporal dos processos fisiológicos, como sono, fome e liberação de hormônios, nos seres vivos. Também pode se referir ao declínio natural da fertilidade com a idade.

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.

   Sistema interno de marcação do tempo

   • 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.

   Relógio biológico (fertilidade)

   • 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.