Lecture 8

Question 1

What are biological rhythms?

Answer 1

Periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning

Examples include alertness levels throughout the day.

Question 2

What are circadian rhythms?

Answer 2

The 24-hour biological cycles found in humans and many other species.

Question 3

What is the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in sleep?

Answer 3

Receives input from the retina and sends signals to the pineal gland to regulate melatonin release.

Question 4

What hormone regulates sleep-wake cycles?

Answer 4

Melatonin.

Question 5

What causes jet lag?

Answer 5

A temporary disruption of circadian rhythms and sleep patterns caused by rapid travel across time zones.

Question 6

What is consciousness?

Answer 6

The awareness of internal and external stimuli.

Question 7

What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?

Answer 7

A device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time.

Question 8

What are brainwaves?

Answer 8

Electrical patterns in the brain measured with EEG.

Question 9

What frequency range characterizes beta brainwaves?

Answer 9

13-24 Hz.

Question 10

What characterizes alpha brainwaves?

Answer 10

8-12 Hz; associated with relaxation and meditation.

Question 11

What is the frequency range for theta brainwaves?

Answer 11

4-7 Hz; indicates light sleep.

Question 12

What is the frequency range for delta brainwaves?

Answer 12

0.5-4 Hz; indicates deep sleep.

Question 13

What is polysomnography (PSG)?

Answer 13

A comprehensive sleep study that simultaneously records various physiological factors.

Question 14

What characterizes Stage 1 sleep?

Answer 14

Transition between wakefulness and deeper sleep, lasts 5-10 minutes.

Question 15

What are sleep spindles?

Answer 15

Bursts of 12-16 Hz activity during Stage 2 sleep.

Question 16

What is the deepest stage of sleep?

Answer 16

Stage 3 sleep (slow-wave sleep).

Question 17

What is REM sleep characterized by?

Answer 17

Complete muscle paralysis, rapid eye movements, and mixed EEG frequencies resembling wakefulness.

Question 18

What is a hypnogram?

Answer 18

A graph of one’s sleep stages across the night.

Question 19

How often do people cycle through all sleep stages during a night?

Answer 19

Approximately every 90 minutes.

Question 20

What is the day-residue effect in dreaming?

Answer 20

Recent daily experiences can influence dream content on the same night.

Question 21

What does the Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis suggest about dreaming?

Answer 21

Dreams arise from the brain’s attempt to interpret random neural activity during REM sleep.

Question 22

What is narcolepsy?

Answer 22

A chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep episodes.

Question 23

What are night terrors?

Answer 23

Intense, abrupt episodes of fear during sleep, often without recollection upon waking.

Question 24

What is sleep apnea?

Answer 24

Recurrent pauses in breathing during sleep.

Question 25

What characterizes insomnia?

Answer 25

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-refreshing sleep.

Question 26

What is Fatal Familial Insomnia?

Answer 26

A rare inherited disease leading to inability to sleep, resulting in cognitive decline and death.

Question 27

What is REM Behaviour Disorder?

Answer 27

The absence of normal muscle paralysis during REM sleep, causing individuals to act out dreams.

Question 28

What is the function of dreams according to Threat Simulation Theory?

Answer 28

To rehearse threatening situations.

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The hormone _______ regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Answer 29

Melatonin.

Question 30

True or False: Nightmares occur during REM sleep.

Answer 30

True.

Question 31

True or False: Sleepwalkers typically have no memory of their actions.

Answer 31

True.