The pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin, which is involved in the control of circadian rhythms
Melatonin is the hormone that is involved in the rhythmic activities. The melatonin hormone is secreted by the pineal gland that plays a central role in the coordination of the circadian system and circadian rhythms.
Melatonin
secretes melatonin
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Lisa M. Hack has written: 'Melatonin and free-running circadian rhythms in the blind'
Not exactly. Circadian rhythms are a subset of diurnal rhythms. Diurnal rhythms reoccur daily and can be circadian and non-circadian. Circadian rhythms can be set by the environment (entrainment), but are not dependent on environment stimulus for continuation (free-running) (ie. hormone secretion). Non-circadian rhythms are responsive to the environment, but still operate on a daily cycle (ie. the process of photosynthesis).
Circadian rhythms
circadian
True
Mostly the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain. The pineal gland is also involved.
daily cycles