Exam 3: Sleep and The Circadian Rhythm Flashcards
(37 cards)
REM Sleep
A sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, and brain activity similar to wakefulness.
Non-REM Sleep
Sleep stages without rapid eye movements, including stages 1-3; typically associated with physical restoration.
EEG
A technique that records electrical activity of the brain and is used to monitor sleep stages.
Stage 1 non-REM
The lightest sleep stage, marked by a transition from wakefulness to sleep with theta wave activity.
Stage 2 non-REM
A sleep stage characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes; it is deeper than stage 1 but not the deepest.
Stage 3 non-REM
The deepest stage of non-REM sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, with delta wave activity.
flip flop switch
A neural mechanism that helps regulate transitions between sleep and wake states, maintaining stability.
Ventrolateral preoptic nucleus
A cluster of neurons in the hypothalamus that promotes sleep by inhibiting wakefulness-promoting regions.
Recuperation Theory of Sleep
Proposes that sleep is necessary for the body to repair and restore itself.
Evolutionary Adaptation Theory of Sleep
Suggests sleep evolved to protect animals by keeping them inactive during dangerous periods.
Brain Plasticity Theory of Sleep
Proposes sleep is crucial for brain development and memory consolidation.
non-24 hour sleep-wake disorder
A circadian rhythm disorder where the internal clock is not aligned with the 24-hour day, leading to insomnia or daytime sleepiness.
narcolepsy
A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day.
Cataplexy
A symptom of narcolepsy involving sudden loss of muscle tone while awake, often triggered by emotions.
sleep paralysis
Temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.
Orexin
A neuropeptide that promotes wakefulness and stabilizes sleep-wake transitions; lacking in narcolepsy.
delayed sleep wake phase disorder
A circadian rhythm disorder where sleep is delayed by two or more hours, making it hard to wake at desired times.
Zeitgebers
External cues (like light and temperature) that help synchronize biological rhythms to the environment.
circadian rhythms
Biological processes that cycle roughly every 24 hours, such as the sleep-wake cycle.
circatidal rhythms
Biological rhythms tied to tidal cycles, typically around 12.4 hours.
infradian rhythms
Rhythms that occur less frequently than once per day, such as menstrual cycles.
Circannual rhythms
Biological rhythms that occur yearly, like seasonal breeding or migration.
Circalunar rhythms
Rhythms that follow the lunar cycle, about 29.5 days.
entrainment
The process of synchronizing a biological rhythm to an external cue.
