Ultradian rhythms

Question 1

A01 ultradian rhythms

Answer 1

Biological cycle lasting shorter than 24hr period
Example is the sleeping rhythm , follows a pattern of REM and NREM sleep, with stages 1-4
Repeats every approx 100 mins, each stage has different durations
E.g stage 1 is light sleeping with muscles slowing down
e.g stage 5 is REM, brainwaves sleep up and heart rate inc

Question 2

A01 Kletiman P2

Answer 2

Kleitman 1969 referred to the 90 min cycle as the basic rest activity cycle
He also suggested this 90 min cycle happens in the day as we are awake
Difference is that during the day we go through periods of alertness to phsyiological fatigue
Suggests the human mind can concentrate for 90 mins, towards the end of this body comes fatigued and hunger is felt

Question 3

Research support for the BRAC

Answer 3

Ericsson 2006- study of elite performers
Studied a group of elite violinists and found practice sessions only lasted 90 mins, systematically distributed throughout the day in these 90 min slots
Supports analysis that fatigue happens towards end of BRAC
Also indicated violinists nap to recover from practice frequently
Consistent with the predicitons of the BRAC ericsson found this in other perfomers such as athletes

Question 4

A03 strength biological rhythms

Answer 4

Differences in sleep patterns in Indians is usually attributed to differences in non biological differences but a study by Tucker et al (2007) suggests these are biologically determined and may even be genetic in origin
Participants were studied over 11 days and nights in a strictly controlled environment, researched assessed sleep duration etc and found large individual differences in these differences
This means differences between participants aren’t driven by circumstance and are biologically determined partly

Question 5

Limitation of infradian rhythms A 03

Answer 5

•Research often focuses on biological explanations (e.g., hormonal influences) but ignores external factors such as stress, lifestyle, and cultural influences
• The complexity of infradian rhythms suggests an interaction between biological, psychological, and environmental factors, which are often overlooked in lab-based studies.

Question 6

Research support A 03

Answer 6

• Research supports the role of hormones in regulating infradian rhythms, particularly the menstrual cycle.
•McClintock (1998) found that pheromones from other women could influence menstrual cycles, suggesting exogenous (external) factors also play a role.
Reinforces the idea that biological rhythms are influenced by both endogenous (internal) pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers.