Class 3 - Sleep

Question 1

What is sleep based on merriam-webster?

Answer 1

• the natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored

Question 2

What is the general idea of sleep? (3)

Answer 2

• sleep is natural and necessary
• it involves a shift in physiological and neurological activity and is intended to be restorative
• easily woken up from unconscious state, self-regulated

Question 3

What are the 2 biological mechanisms that regulate wakefulness and sleep?

Answer 3

1. Sleep-wake Homeostasis/homeostatic drive
2. Circadian rhythms
   tell us when to sleep and wake up

Question 4

What is the sleep-wake homeostasis/homeostatic drive? (3)

Answer 4

• need or pressure to sleep
• longer one stays awake, the PRESSURE gets stronger and reaches low after a good quality sleep
• drive for sleep is higher under some circumstances

Question 5

The homeostatic drive includes a sleep debt. What is it? (2)

Answer 5

• when you’re not getting 7-9 hours of sleep
• do not need to pay it back, but try no to build it up

Question 6

Homeostatic drive graph

Answer 6

Question 7

What are circadian rhythms? (2)

Answer 7

• physical, mental, and behavioural changes that follow a 24 hour cycle
• internally driven cycles of biochemical, physiological, and behavioral process of living beings that rise and fall across the 24 hour day

Question 8

What do circadian rhythms control? (2)

Answer 8

• Control a wide variety of body functions
• metabolism, core temperature, hormones released in sleep

Question 9

What controls our circadian rhythm? (2)

Answer 9

• master clock
• aka a group of neurons called suprachiasmatic nucleus in hypthalamus

Question 10

What is the strongest cue for circadian rhythms?

Answer 10

light/dark cycle of the sun
- hence working nights can be harmful

Question 11

What drives our circadian rhythm?

Answer 11

• numerous peripheral circadian oscillators (clocks) throughout the human body

Question 12

Which neurotransmitters/hormones promote sleep?

Answer 12

• adenosine
• GABA
• Melatonin
• Galanin

Question 13

Which neurotransmitters/hormones promote wakefulness? (7)

Answer 13

• orexin/hypocretin
• serotonin
• acetylcholine
• serotonin
• dopamine
• noradrenaline
• histamine