Circadian Rhythms

Question 1

What is a ‘Biological Rhythm’?

Answer 1

• Distinct patterns in body activity that conform to cyclical time periods.
• Influenced by internal body clocks (Endogenous Pacemakers) and External body clocks (Exogenous Zeitgebers).

Question 2

What is a ‘Circadian Rhythm’?

Answer 2

• Biological rhythms subjected to a 24-hour cycle, which regulate a number of body processes such as the sleep/week cycle.

Question 3

What is an ‘Endogenous Pacemaker’?

Answer 3

• Internal Body clocks that regulate many biological rhythms such as the influence of the SCN on the sleep/wake cycle.

Question 4

What is an ‘Exogenous Zeitgeber’?

Answer 4

• External cues that may impact or entertain biological rhythms, such as the influence of light on the sleep/wake cycle.

Question 5

What effect does body temp have on the sleep/wake cycle?

Answer 5

• Sleep occurs when the core body temp drops.
• Body temperature rises during the last few hours of sleep, and this causes people to feel alert in the morning.

Question 6

When are people most likely to be sleepy?

Answer 6

• 2-4pm