biological rhythms

Question 1

what are biological rhythms governed by?

Answer 1

internal clocks and environmental factors

Question 2

what are the three types of rhythm?

Answer 2

1. circadian = a day (24 hours)
2. infradian = more than a day (month - menstrual cycle)
3. ultradian = less than a day (stages of sleep)

Question 3

what are circadian rhythms regulated by?

Answer 3

endogenous pacemakers (SCN)

Question 4

who did research into circadian rhythms?

Answer 4

siffre

Question 5

what was siffres procedure and findings?

Answer 5

• researched himself in a cave
• spent 2 months in a cave in texas
• used artificial light and no temperature changes
• SWC erratic at first but settled to 25 hours
• concluded SWC longer than 24 hours but environmental factors keep within 24 hours

Question 6

strength of circadian rhythms (practical) -medication

Answer 6

coordinate heart rate, digestion etc - these rise and fall during the day so medical treatment can be administered in a way that corresponds to biological rhythms

Question 7

strength of circadian rhythms (useful) - night shifts.

Answer 7

night shift disrupt body clock - researcher found link between shift work and increased risk of heart disease

Question 8

limitation of circadian rhythms (counterpoint - correlation)

Answer 8

can’t establish cause and effect - other influences may be involved - solomon = missing out of family events

Question 9

limitation of circadian rhythms (individual differences)

Answer 9

only studies siffres sleep wake cycle - early risers and late risers have different SWC

Question 10

who did research into infradian rhythms?

Answer 10

stern and mcclintock

Question 11

what was stern and mcclintock procedure and findings?

Answer 11

• 29 women with regular periods
• pheromones from armpit were collected
• rubbed on upper lip of participants
• 68% of pps experienced change in cycle

Question 12

strength of infradian rhythms (evolution)

Answer 12

used to sync cycles to be pregnant at the same time - allow babies to access breast milk

Question 13

limitation if infradian rhythms (method)

Answer 13

stress can affect cycle - failed to replicate study so low reliability

Question 14

strength of infradian rhythms (treatments for seasonal depression)

Answer 14

sunset/sunrise lamps created - those who woke up in bright light had lower depression in winter

Question 15

limitation of ultradian rhythms (individual differences)

Answer 15

each stage of the stages of sleep differ for different people - biological factors differ

Question 16

strength of ultradian rhythms (+ve implications)

Answer 16

Help with people with insomnia and older people (sleep decreases with age ) -learn relaxation techniques