[A mathematical model for the temperature effects on circadian rhythms].

Abstract A previously developed model for the light effects on circadian oscillators is extended to simulate the results of a series of new experiments dealing with the temperature effects. The existence of a compensating factor y expressed as “an equivalent temperature” has been postulated and the basic circadian oscillator senses the difference T-y only, where T is the temperature of the external environment. The specific form of the mathematical equations and the numerical values of their parameters were chosen to simulate one set of experiments only and then the model was able to predict the results of the remaining experiments. In contrast with earlier models assuming the existence of two interacting oscillators in order to explain the temperature effects, the present model incorporates in a single oscillator the effects of both light and temperature on the system.