Yawning and Brain Function

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Questions and Answers

What is one theory about why yawning occurs?

One theory is that yawning helps keep the brain awake during boring or passive activities.

What is thought to happen to the carotid artery when we yawn?

The movement of the muscles in the face and neck stimulate the carotid artery.

What is similar between the effects of yawning and the effects of caffeine?

Both yawning and caffeine increase the electrical conductance of the skin.

In what types of activities are people more likely to yawn?

People are more likely to yawn during passive activities, such as driving, watching television, or listening to a lecture. Signup and view all the answers

Why do researchers think yawning may be contagious?

Yawning may be contagious because it appears to be an empathetic response that helps humans and other mammals communicate. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to brain fluid when we yawn?

Yawning prompts movements of brain fluid away from a resting network and into a more active state. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following brain states with the activities during which they are more likely to occur:

Active state = Cooking or talking Resting network = Watching television or listening to a lecture Wakefulness = Driving Drowsiness = Doing exercise Signup and view all the answers

Match the following physiological responses with their effects:

Increased heart rate = Release of wake-promoting hormones Increased electrical conductance of the skin = Similar to the effects of caffeine Stimulation of carotid artery = Increase in heart rate Movement of brain fluid = More active state Signup and view all the answers

Match the following yawn-related phenomena with their descriptions:

Contagious yawning = Prompted by seeing or hearing others yawn Empathetic response = Helps humans and other mammals communicate Yawning theory = Helps keep the brain awake during boring activities Physiological response = Similar to the effects of caffeine Signup and view all the answers

Match the following activities with their likelihood of inducing yawning:

Passive activities = More likely to induce yawning Active activities = Less likely to induce yawning Boring activities = More likely to induce yawning Exciting activities = Less likely to induce yawning Signup and view all the answers

Match the following effects of yawning with their descriptions:

Movement of muscles in the face and neck = Forces the muscles to move Increase in heart rate = Promotes wakefulness Release of wake-promoting hormones = Increases heart rate Stimulation of carotid artery = Increases heart rate and releases hormones Signup and view all the answers

Match the following phenomena with their explanations:

Yawning during passive activities = To keep the brain awake during boring activities Yawning during active activities = To promote wakefulness Contagious yawning = An empathetic response that helps communicate Yawning and caffeine = Similar physiological responses Signup and view all the answers

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