If a person's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons have a mutation that shortens their intrinsic firing period to 22 hours, which consequence follows for their sleep patterns?

💡 Explanation

The SCN is the master circadian pacemaker, and its intrinsic period determines the timing of the sleep-wake cycle. Because the mutant SCN has a shorter period, the entire circadian rhythm will advance earlier each day; therefore, the sleep-wake cycle drifts earlier, rather than shifting later as with a period longer than 24 hours.

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