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what is sleep? ANSW ✔✔ Sleep is the periodic, natural loss of consciousness—as distinct
from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation.
sleep ANSW ✔✔ periodic, natural loss of consciousness—as distinct from unconsciousness
resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation
How do our biological rhythms influence our daily functioning? ANSW ✔✔ Our bodies
have an internal biological clock, roughly synchronized with the 24-hour cycle of night and
day. This circadian rhythm appears in our daily patterns of body temperature, arousal,
sleeping, and waking. Age and experiences can alter these patterns, resetting our biological
clock.
circadian rhythm ANSW ✔✔ the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of
temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle
What is the biological rhythm of our sleeping and dreaming stages? ANSW ✔✔ Younger
adults cycle through four distinct sleep stages about every 90 minutes. (The sleep cycle
repeats more frequently for older adults.) Leaving the alpha waves of the awake, relaxed
stage, we descend into the irregular brain waves of non-REM stage 1 (NREM-1) sleep, often
with hallucinations, such as the sensation of falling or floating. NREM-2 sleep (in which we
spend the most time) follows, lasting about 20 minutes, with its characteristic sleep
spindles. We then enter NREM-3 sleep, lasting about 30 minutes, with large, slow delta
waves. About an hour after falling asleep, we begin periods of REM (rapid eye movement)
sleep. Most dreaming occurs in this stage (also known as paradoxical sleep) of internal
arousal but outward paralysis. During a normal night's sleep, NREM-3 sleep shortens and
REM and NREM-2 sleep lengthens.
REM Sleep ANSW ✔✔ rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which
vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are
relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.
, alpha waves ANSW ✔✔ the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state
hallucinations ANSW ✔✔ false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the
absence of an external visual stimulus.
delta waves ANSW ✔✔ the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.
Why would communal sleeping provide added protection for those whose safety depends
upon vigilance, such as these soldiers? ANSW ✔✔ With each soldier cycling through the
sleep stages independently, it is very likely that at any given time at least one of them will
be awake or easily wakened in the event of a threat.
How do biology and environment interact in our sleep patterns? ANSW ✔✔ Our biology—
our circadian rhythm as well as our age and our body's production of melatonin (influenced
by the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus)—interacts with cultural expectations and individual
behaviors to determine our sleeping and waking patterns.
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) ANSW ✔✔ a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that
controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust
melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness.
The ___________ nucleus helps monitor the brain's release of melatonin, which affects our
____________ rhythm. ANSW ✔✔ suprachiasmatic, circadian
What are sleep's functions? ANSW ✔✔ Sleep may have played a protective role in human
evolution by keeping people safe during potentially dangerous periods. Sleep also helps
restore and repair damaged neurons. REM and NREM-2 sleep help strengthen neural
connections that build enduring memories. Sleep promotes creative problem solving the
next day. Finally, during deep sleep, the pituitary gland secretes a growth hormone
necessary for muscle development.
What are five proposed reasons for our need for sleep? ANSW ✔✔ (1) Sleep has survival
value. (2) Sleep helps restore and repair brain tissue. (3) During sleep we consolidate
memories. (4) Sleep fuels creativity. (5) Sleep plays a role in the growth process.