Endogenous Rhythms and Biological Clocks
24 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What characterizes REM behavior disorder?

  • Abnormal behavior during deep NREM sleep
  • Loss of motor function when dreaming
  • Inability to sleep during REM phases
  • Vigorous movements during REM sleep while acting out dreams (correct)

    • Which of the following is most likely to occur during stages 3 or 4 of sleep?

  • Nightmares
  • Sleepwalking (correct)
  • Sleep apnea
  • REM sleep

    • Which statement about night terrors is accurate?

  • They typically occur during NREM sleep and are more common in children. (correct)
  • They can only be treated with medication.
  • They are a form of REM sleep disruption.
  • They frequently lead to memory impairment.

    • What is one purpose of sleep noted in the study of its functions?

    <p>To conserve energy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does sleep theoretically contribute to memory improvement?

    <p>By reinforcing certain synaptic connections while weakening others (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which species are noted for having adapted to never sleep?

    <p>Some bird species and dolphins after giving birth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physiological activity is associated with memory reinforcement during sleep?

    <p>Sleep spindles activity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition involves engaging in sexual behavior while asleep?

    <p>Sleep sex or sexsomnia (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What neurotransmitter is released by certain areas of the hypothalamus to stimulate arousal?

    <p>Histamine (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for contributing to cortical arousal?

    <p>Pontomesencephalon (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effects do antihistamine drugs have on sleep?

    <p>They produce drowsiness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During REM sleep, which part of the brain shows a decrease in activity?

    <p>Primary visual cortex (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for maintaining wakefulness according to the functions of orexin?

    <p>Secretion of orexin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement describes a characteristic of sleepwalking?

    <p>It results from a single part of the brain being awake. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does GABA play in sleep?

    <p>It inhibits synaptic activity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are PGO waves associated with?

    <p>High-amplitude electrical potentials in REM sleep (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily regulated by the SCN in relation to sleep patterns?

    <p>Pineal gland and melatonin release (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disorder is characterized by brief episodes of sleep onset during the day?

    <p>Narcolepsy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does high concentration of PER and TIM have on sleep regulation?

    <p>They inhibit gene production of messenger RNA (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a vegetative state from a minimally conscious state?

    <p>Evidence of purposeful actions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of sleep related to physiological restoration?

    <p>Elimination of toxins (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of sleep?

    <p>Increased brain activity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disorder is often associated with disrupted sleep due to abnormal limb movements?

    <p>Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Melatonin release typically begins at which time relative to bedtime?

    <p>2 to 3 hours before bedtime (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    PER and TIM proteins

    Proteins that control the sleep-wake cycle through feedback mechanisms on gene activity.

    Sleep-wake cycle regulation

    The biological process that controls the natural sleep-wake cycle.

    Melatonin

    A hormone that increases sleepiness, released by the pineal gland.

    SCN (Suprachiasmatic Nucleus)

    A part of the brain that regulates the sleep-wake cycle by controlling melatonin release.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sleep

    A state of decreased response to stimuli, actively produced by the brain.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Coma

    A state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by trauma or disease, with low brain activity.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Vegetative state

    A state of alternating between sleep and moderate arousal, but with no awareness of surroundings.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Minimally Conscious state

    A state with brief purposeful actions and limited speech comprehension.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    REM Behavior Disorder

    A sleep disorder where people physically act out their dreams during REM sleep, possibly due to a lack of inhibition of spinal motor neurons.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Night Terrors

    An abrupt, anxious awakening from NREM sleep, more common in children.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sleepwalking

    A sleep disorder characterized by wandering or moving around during sleep, usually occurring in stages 3 or 4 early in the night, more common in children and those sleep-deprived.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sleep Sex (Sexsomnia)

    Sexual activity during sleep, either with a partner or through masturbation.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sleep and Energy Conservation

    Sleep helps conserve energy, particularly during times of low efficiency (e.g., hibernation).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sleep and Memory

    Sleep improves memory by repetitively processing experiences and reinforcing synaptic connections.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sleep Spindles

    Brain activities during sleep that increase in occurrence after learning new things.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sleep improves memory

    Sleep strengthens memory by reinforcing relevant connections & weakening irrelevant ones.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Pontomesencephalon role in arousal

    Part of the reticular formation that increases cortical arousal; stimulating it wakes someone up or increases alertness.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Locus Coeruleus function

    A brain structure that releases norepinephrine in response to important events, playing a role in alertness and information storage, typically inactive during sleep.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Histamine's role in arousal

    Neurotransmitter released by hypothalamus areas to increase arousal; antihistamines can cause drowsiness.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Orexin/Hypocretin for wakefulness

    Peptide neurotransmitter released by the hypothalamus (especially lateral hypothalamus) necessary for staying awake.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    GABA's role in sleep

    GABA-mediated inhibition is crucial for sleep. It prevents synaptic activity while neurons remain active.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Localized sleep concept

    Sleep might be localized in the brain, meaning one part can be awake while other parts are asleep (like sleepwalking).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    REM sleep brain activity changes

    Increased activity in the pons, limbic system, parietal/temporal cortex during REM. Decreased activity in the primary visual cortex, motor cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    PGO waves function

    High-amplitude electrical potentials during REM sleep, starting in the pons then traveling to the thalamus and occipital cortex.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Study Notes

    Endogenous Rhythms

    • Endogenous circannual rhythm: Internal calendar preparing a species for annual seasonal changes.
    • Endogenous circadian rhythm: Internal rhythms lasting about a day, including wakefulness and sleepiness.
    • Circadian rhythm in humans: Self-generated duration of about 24 hours, impacting eating, drinking, hormone secretion, and mood. Body temperature also fluctuates, typically 36.7°C at night and 37.2°C late afternoon/early evening. Teenagers experience increased positive mood from waking to late afternoon, then a slight decrease.
    • Zeitgeber: External stimulus (primarily light) needed to reset circadian rhythm.

    Setting and Resetting the Biological Clock

    • Light is the dominant zeitgeber for land animals.
    • Incomplete light/dark cycles affect alertness and sleep quality.
    • Individuals using external factors like noise or temperature can also reset their circadian rhythm.
    • Disruption of circadian rhythm through daylight savings time and shift work can cause inefficiency & insomnia
    • Repeated circadian rhythm adjustments increase cortisol levels, potentially damaging the hippocampus and affecting memory.

    Stages of Sleep and Brain Mechanisms

    • Sleep: Decreased brain response to stimuli.
    • Coma: Prolonged unconsciousness with low brain activity.
    • Vegetative State: Alternating between sleep/moderate arousal, lacking awareness.
    • Minimally Conscious State: Occasional purposeful actions, limited speech comprehension.
    • Brain Death: Absence of brain activity and response.

    Stages of Sleep

    • EEG: Electroencephalography measures electrical brain activity.
    • Polysomnograph: Combination of EEG and eye-movement records.
    • Stage 1 Sleep: Irregular, jagged, and low-voltage waves; light sleep.
    • Stage 2 Sleep: Includes sleep spindles (burst of 12-14 Hz waves) and K-complexes (sharp, high amplitude waves); intermediate sleep.
    • Stages 3 & 4 Sleep (Slow-Wave Sleep (SWS)): Slow, large-amplitude waves; deep and restorative sleep.
    • REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement): Brain is active while muscles are relaxed. Associated with dreaming.

    Brain Structures of Arousal and Attention

    • Reticular formation: Neural structure from medulla to forebrain influencing arousal.
    • Pontomesencephalon: Portion of the reticular formation promoting cortical arousal.
    • Locus coeruleus: Brain structure releasing norepinephrine to enhance arousal in response to important events - dormant during sleep.
    • Hippothalamus: Areas releasing histamine (excitatory effects) and orexin (critical for alertness) are vital in waking and sleep.
    • Basal forebrain: Area releasing GABA to reduce neural activity and promote sleep.

    Sleep and the Inhibition of Brain Activity

    • During sleep, body temperature and metabolic rate slightly decrease.
    • GABA plays a significant role in lowering synaptic activity, leading to sleep.
    • Sleepwalking and sleep talking can happen in certain sleep stages.

    Brain Mechanisms of Wakefulness, Arousal, and Sleep

    • Sleep is controlled by a complex interaction of brain regions which includes the reticular formation, and limbic system.
    • Different parts of the brain are very active during various stages of sleep.
    • Sleep problems can be located in specific parts and structures in the brain.

    Brain Mechanisms Controlling Attention

    • Bottom-up Process: Reaction to a stimulus
    • Top-down Process: Intentional attention (e.g., searching for someone in a crowd).
    • Brain areas play significant roles in controlling attention.

    The Hippocampus and the Striatum

    • Short Term Memory : Related to recent events
    • Long Term Memory: Related to more distant events
    • Hippocampus is crucial for declarative memory, but other structures like the striatum are essential for procedural memory (or habits)
    • Declarative Memories: Include episodic memory (personal experiences) and semantic memory (general knowledge).
    • Procedural Memories : Related to habits.
    • Parts of the brain, including basal ganglia and other areas, are heavily involved in memory, and damage/problems in these structures can result in memory loss.

    Sleep Disorders

    • Insomnia: Inability to sleep or maintain sleep.
    • Sleep Apnea: Inability to breathe during sleep.
    • Night Terrors: Abrupt and anxious awakenings from NREM sleep.
    • Sleepwalking: Often occurs during stages 3 or 4 early in the night.
    • Narcolepsy: Disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.
    • Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: Involuntary movements of the legs and arms, primarily during NREM sleep.

    Consciousness and Unconscious Processes

    • Conciousness: Awareness of self and the environment.
    • Different views of the mind-body problem exist.
    • Consciousness depends on brain activity, especially widespread activation throughout the cortex.
    • Certain brain regions are involved in different types of consciousness; the brain operates as a network of interconnected brain regions.

    Cognitive Functions-Laterality and Language

    • Brain Has Two Hemispheres: Each controls the opposite side of the body.
    • Lateralization: Specialization of functions in each hemisphere. Language is primarily localized in the left hemisphere (in most people).
    • Corpus Callosum: Bundle of axons connecting the two hemispheres and allowing communication.
    • Split Brain Patients: Individuals whose corpus callosum is severed; their hemispheres show independent actions.
    • Visual and Auditory Connections: Sensory information is typically routed to the opposite hemisphere.

    Cognitive Functions-Visual and Auditory Connections

    • Information from the right visual field is relayed to the left hemisphere and from the left visual field to the right hemisphere.
    • Sound from each side of the head is routed to both hemispheres, but each ear sends information to both hemispheres

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Biopsychology Exam 3 Study Guide PDF

    Description

    Explore the concepts of endogenous circadian and circannual rhythms, their impact on human behavior, and the importance of zeitgebers in resetting our biological clocks. Understand how light and other external factors influence our sleep and alertness. This quiz delves into the science behind our internal timing systems.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser