Behavioural Science - Physiology Flashcards
What four physiologic mechanisms can be affected by stress?
Water absorption, muscular tonicity, gastrocolic reflex, and mucosal circulation
The production of what substances in the body are increased by stress?
Free fatty acids, 17-OH corticosteroids, lipids, cholesterol, and catecholamines
What is one example of a psychological cause of sexual dysfunction?
Performance anxiety
Name four classes of drugs or substances that can cause sexual dysfunction
Antihypertensives, neuroleptics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, ethanol
What are two examples of disease states that can cause sexual dysfunction?
Depression and diabetes
What are three general categories of aetiologies of sexual dysfunction?
Drugs, disease, and psychologic issues
The body mass index is a measure of weight that is adjusted for what factor?
Height
What is the formula for calculating the body mass index?
Weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters squared)
What is the normal range of the body mass index?
18.5 to 24.9
A person with a body mass index of less than what number is considered underweight?
18.5
A person with a body mass index in what range is considered overweight?
25.0 to 29.9
A person with a body mass index of what number is considered obese?
30.0+
What is stage 1 sleep?
Light sleep
What is stage 3-4 sleep?
The deepest non-REM sleep; also known as slow-wave sleep
Which stage of sleep is characterized by dreaming and loss of motor tone?
REM sleep
Which stage of sleep may serve a memory processing function?
REM sleep
Bruxism is characteristic of which stage of sleep?
Stage 2
Stage 1 sleep is what percent of total sleep time?
5%
Stage 2 sleep is what percent of sleep time? Stage 2 sleep is what percent of sleep time?
45%
Stage 3-4 sleep is what percent of sleep time?
25%
REM sleep is what percent of sleep time?
25%
True or False? Stage 2 sleep is characterized by erections and decreased brain oxygen use.
False; REM sleep is characterized by erections and increased brain oxygen use
Awake and alert states are characterized by what electroencephalogram waveform?
Beta (highest frequency, lowest amplitude)
Awake states with eyes closed are characterized by what electroencephalogram waveform?
Alpha
Stage 1 (light sleep) is characterized by what electroencephalogram waveform?
Theta
Stage 2 sleep is characterized by what two findings on electroencephalogram?
Sleep spindles and K complexes
Stage 3-4 sleep is characterized by what electroencephalogram waveform?
Delta (lowest frequency, highest amplitude)
REM sleep is characterized by what electroencephalogram waveform?
Beta (highest frequency, lowest amplitude)
Theta waveforms characterize what stage of sleep?
Stage 1
Sleep spindles and K complexes characterize what stage of sleep?
Stage 2
Delta waveforms characterize what stages of sleep?
Stages 3-4
Beta waveforms characterize what stage of sleep?
REM sleep
What waveform is present in both REM sleep and the awake state, spawning terms like paradoxical sleep and desynchronized sleep?
Beta waves
Which deep brain nucleus is responsible for initiation of sleep?
The raphe nucleus
True or False? Serotonin is involved with the initiation of sleep.
True
Norepinephrine _____ (increases/decreases) REM sleep.
Decreases
Which brain area is responsible for rapid eye movements in sleep?
Extraocular movements during REM sleem are due to the activity of the paramedian pontine reticular formation/conjugate gaze center
Which drug class is useful in treating sleepwalking and night terrors? What is the mechanism of action?
Benzodiazepines are useful for treating night terrors and sleepwalking because they shorten stage 4 sleep
What medication can be used as a treatment for night terrors and sleepwalking?
Benzodiazepines, because they shorten stage 4 sleep
Which drug is used to treat enuresis? What is its mechanism of action?
Imipramine, which works by shortening the duration of stage 4 sleep
What are four physiologic changes that occur during REM sleep?
Increased and variable pulse, rapid eye movement, increased and variable blood pressure, and penile/clitoral tumescence
REM sleep occurs approximately every _____ minutes throughout the night.
90
How does the pattern of REM sleep change in later sleep?
The duration of REM sleep increases throughout the night
What is the principle neurotransmitter involved in REM sleep?
Acetylcholine
Does REM sleep increase or decrease with age?
Decrease
What is the most common medical treatment for narcolepsy?
Stimulants such as amphetamines or modafinil
When do hypnagogic hallucinations occur?
Just before sleep begins; this is a hallmark of narcolepsy
When do hypnopompic hallucinations occur?
Just before awakening; this is a hallmark of narcolepsy
Define cataplexy.
The loss of all muscle tone as a result of a strong emotional stimulus; this is a hallmark of narcolepsy
True or False? Narcolepsy has a strong genetic component.
True
What type of sleep do narcoleptic episodes (as well as the nocturnal sleep of narcoleptics) start with?
REM sleep; this is known as short REM latency
What sleep disorder is characterized by cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and automatic behavior?
Narcolepsy
True or False? A person with narcolepsy can become drowsy or fall asleep at inappropriate times and places. Daytime naps may occur with or without warning, and they may be irresistible.
True
Which nucleus of the hypothalamus drives circadian rhythm?
The suprachiasmatic nucleus
The release of which hormones or neurotransmitters is dictated by circadian rhythms?
Adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, melatonin, and nocturnal norepinephrine
The release of melatonin from the pineal gland is caused by the release of which neurotransmitter from the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus?
Norepinephrine
Which environmental stimulus regulates the activity of the suprachiasmatic nucleus?
Light
