11.5 Consciousness Flashcards
What is consciousness?
awareness that we have of ourselves, our internal states, and the environment
What in the brain controls alertness and arousal?
reticular formation
What is polysomnography?
multimodal technique to measure physiological processes during sleep
What waves are prevalent during the first stage of sleep?
theta waves
What are theta waves during sleep?
low to moderate intensity and intermediate frequency
What waves are prevalent during the second stage of sleep?
k-complex waves
sleep spindles
What are k-complex waves?
large and slow waves with a duration of half a second
What are sleep spindles?
bursts of waves that do not last long
What waves are prevalent during the third and fourth stages of sleep?
delta waves
What are delta waves in relation to sleep?
high amplitude and low frequency
What are some characteristics of REM sleep?
quick eye movements
sawtooth waves
low skeletal muscle movement
What are circadian rhythms?
biological waxing and waning of alertness over 24 hours
What is the key factor in how sleep is regulated?
exposure to light
What does exposure to light stimulate in regards to sleep?
suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus
What is the purpose of the suprachiasmatic nucleus when it is stimulated?
signals other parts of the brain to regulate body temperature and control the production and release of hormones
