16 SLEEP Flashcards
(53 cards)
What is the most mysterious thing we do?
Sleeping
Sleep is vital, but its exact purpose is not fully understood.
How much of our lives do we spend sleeping?
A third
This implies that sleep occupies a significant portion of human life.
What happens to the body when deprived of sleep for too long?
Death
The exact mechanism of death due to lack of sleep remains a mystery.
What biological processes are tied to sleep?
- Consolidating memories
- Restoring hormonal balance
- Emptying the brain of neurotoxins
- Resetting the immune system
What improvement was observed in people with early signs of hypertension who increased their sleep by one hour?
Significant improvement in blood pressure readings
This suggests a potential link between sleep duration and cardiovascular health.
What is the difference between hibernation and sleep?
Hibernation is not the same as sleep; it is more like being concussed or anesthetized
Hibernating animals still require conventional sleep.
What is the term for bears’ winter slumbers?
State of torpor
Bears do not hibernate as their body temperature remains near normal.
What is the primary phase of sleep where most dreaming occurs?
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
REM sleep accounts for about a quarter of total sleep time.
What is the phenomenon of waking up unable to move called?
Sleep paralysis
This condition can be unnerving but typically lasts only a few moments.
How many times do we typically change position during the night?
Thirty to forty times
Most people are unaware of these movements.
What are hypnagogic states?
Snatches of wakeful-hours sleep
This state occurs between waking and unconsciousness.
What are photosensitive retinal ganglion cells responsible for?
Detecting brightness
They help regulate circadian rhythms independent of vision.
What do the suprachiasmatic nuclei control?
Circadian rhythms
They act as the body’s alarm clocks.
What discovery did Russell Foster make in 1999?
A third type of photoreceptor in the eye
This discovery challenged long-held beliefs in the field of ophthalmology.
What percentage of sleep time do newborn babies spend in REM sleep?
At least 50 percent
For fetuses, it may be as much as 80 percent.
True or False: All mammals require the same amount of sleep.
False
Sleep requirements vary significantly among different species.
Fill in the blank: REM sleep accounts for up to _______ of every night’s sleep.
two hours
What is the average number of times people wake up briefly during the night without noticing?
Twenty-three times
This was observed in a sleep clinic study.
What is the possible evolutionary purpose of the hypnic jerk?
A fire drill to prevent falling
This theory suggests a protective mechanism during sleep.
What happens to some people’s limbs during REM sleep?
They remain paralyzed
This prevents movement during dreams.
What unusual phenomenon occurs during REM sleep related to male physiology?
Erections
This occurs not necessarily linked to erotic impulses.
What did a blind lady demonstrate about her brain’s ability to detect light?
She accurately identified when the lights were on or off despite having no vision.
This suggests that the brain can detect light at a subliminal level.
Where are body clocks located in humans?
In the brain and throughout the body, including pancreas, liver, heart, kidneys, fatty tissue, and muscle.
These clocks dictate hormone release and organ activity.
What are the consequences of disturbances to daily rhythms in the body?
They can contribute to diabetes, heart disease, depression, and serious weight gain.
Disruptions can lead to various health issues.
