Ch. 10

Question 1

Biological Rhythms

Answer 1

Regular fluctuations in any living process

Question 2

Circadian Rhythms

Answer 2

A pattern of behavioral, biochemical, or physiological fluctuation that has a 24-hr period

Question 3

Ultradian

Answer 3

Referring to a rhythmic biological event with a period shorter than a day, usually from several minutes to several hours long. Ex. bouts of activity, feeding, and hormone release.

Question 4

Infradian

Answer 4

Referring to a rhythmic biological event with a period longer than a day. Ex. menstrual cycle

Question 5

Diurnal

Answer 5

active during the day

Question 6

Nocturnal

Answer 6

active during dark periods

Question 7

Free-Running

Answer 7

Referring to a rhythm of behavior shown by an animal deprived of external cues about time of day

Question 8

Period

Answer 8

The interval of time between two similar points of successive cycles, such as sunset to sunset

Question 9

Phase Shift

Answer 9

A shift in the activity of a biological rhythm, typically provided by a synchronizing environmental stimulus, such as light

Question 10

Entrainment

Answer 10

The process of synchronizing a biological rhythm to an environmental stimulus

Question 11

Zeitgeber

Answer 11

Literally “time giver” (in German). The stimulus (usually the light-dark cycle) that entrains circadian rhythms. Any cue that an animal uses to synchronize its activity with the environment.

Question 12

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Answer 12

A small region of the hypothalamus above the optic chiasm that is the location of a circadian clock

Question 13

Melatonin

Answer 13

An amine hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland at night, thereby signaling day length to the brain

Question 14

Melanopsin

Answer 14

A photopigment found in those retinal ganglion cells that project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus

Question 15

Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep

Answer 15

A stage of sleep characterized by small-amplitude, fast EEG waves, no postural tension, and rapid eye movements

Question 16

Non-REM Sleep

Answer 16

Sleep, divided into stages 1-3, that is defined by the presence of distinctive EEG activity that differs from that seen in REM sleep

Question 17

Desynchronized EEG

Answer 17

Also called beta activity. A pattern of EEG activity comprising a mix of many different high frequencies with low amplitude

Question 18

Alpha Rhythm

Answer 18

A brain potential of 8-12 Hz that occurs during relaxed wakefulness

Question 19

Vertex Spikes

Answer 19

A sharp-wave EEG pattern that is seen during stage 1 sleep

Question 20

Stage 1 Sleep

Answer 20

The initial stage of non-REM sleep, which is characterized by small-amplitude EEG waves of irregular frequency, slow heart rate, and reduced muscle tension

Question 21

Stage 2 Sleep

Answer 21

A stage of sleep that is defined by bursts of EEG waves called sleep spindles

Question 22

Sleep Spindles

Answer 22

A characteristic 12-14 HZ wave in the EEG of a person said to be in stage 2 sleep

Question 23

K complexes

Answer 23

A sharp, negative EEG potential that is seen in stage 2 sleep

Question 24

Stage 3 Sleep

Answer 24

Also called slow-wave sleep (SWS). A stage of non-REM sleep that is defined by the presence of large-amplitude, slow delta waves

Question 25

Delta Waves

Answer 25

The slowest type of EEG wave, about 1 per second, characteristic of stage 3 sleep

Question 26

Night Terror

Answer 26

A sudden arousal from stage 3 sleep that is marked by intense fear and automatic activation

Question 27

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Answer 27

Suggests experiences in REM sleep are the more or less random results of which neurons happen to get activated

Question 28

Sleep Recovery

Answer 28

The process of sleeping more than normally after a period of sleep deprivation, as though in compensation

Question 29

Fatal Familial Insomnia

Answer 29

An inherited disease that causes people in middle age to stop sleeping, which after a few months results in death

Question 30

What are the four functions of sleep?

Answer 30

1. energy conservation 2. niche adaptation 3. body and brian restoration 4. memory consolidation

Question 31

Ecological Niche

Answer 31

The unique assortment of environmental opportunities and challenges to which each organism is adapted

Question 32

Isolated Brain

Answer 32

An experimental preparation in which an animal's brainstem has been separated from the spinal cord by a cut below the medulla

Question 33

Isolated Forebrain

Answer 33

An experimental preparation in which an animal's nervous system has been cut in the upper midbrain, dividing the forebrain from the brainstem

Question 34

Sleep is an active state mediated by what four interacting neural systems?

Answer 34

1. A forebrain system that generates SWS 2. A brainstem system that activates the sleeping forebrain into wakefulness 3. A pontine system that triggers REM slepp 4. A hypothalamic system that coordinates that other three brain regions to determine which state we're in

Question 35

Narcolepsy

Answer 35

A disorder that involves frequent, intense episodes of sleep, which last from 5 to 30 minutes and can occur anytime during the usual waking hours

Question 36

Cataplexy

Answer 36

Sudden loss of muscle tone, leading the body to collapse without loss of consciousness. Sometimes a component of narcoleptic attacks

Question 37

Orexin

Answer 37

Also called hypocretin. A neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus that is involved in switching between sleep states, in narcolepsy, and in the control of appetite.

Question 38

Sleep Paralysis

Answer 38

A state, during the transition to or from sleep, in which the ability to move or talk is temporarily lost

Question 39

Sleep Enuresis

Answer 39

bed-wetting. Some doctors prescribe a nasal spray of the hormone vasopressin before bedtime which decreases urine production. Associated with SWS

Question 40

Somnambulism

Answer 40

sleepwalking. Occurs in SWS

Question 41

REM Behavior Disorder (RBD)

Answer 41

A sleep disorder in which a person physically acts out a dream

Question 42

Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Answer 42

Difficulty in falling asleep

Question 43

Sleep-maintenance Insomnia

Answer 43

Difficulty in staying asleep

Question 44

Sleep State Misperception

Answer 44

Commonly, the perception of not having been asleep when in fact the person has been. It typically occurs at the start of a sleep episode

Question 45

Sleep Apnea

Answer 45

A sleep disorder in which respiration slows or stops periodically, waking the sleeper. Excessive daytime sleepiness results from the frequent nocturnal awakening

Question 46

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Answer 46

Also called crib death. The sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy human infant who simply stops breathing, usually during sleep