Biological Rhythms

Question 1

What are the three biological rhythms?

Answer 1

• Circadian
• Ultradian
• Infradian

Question 2

What are the three circadian rhythms ?

Answer 2

• Sleep Wake cycle
• Core Body Temp
• Hormone Production

Question 3

How are circadian Rhythms controlled?

Answer 3

The main internal body clock is part of the hypothalamus known as the supracharasmatic nucleus ( SCN)
-This can run on its own but in order to stay synchronised it needs external cues

Question 4

What was the key study into sleep wake cycles? What did it involve?

Answer 4

Michel Siffre (1962) 
- Subjected himself to long periods of time living underground where he had no external cues to guide his rhythms so just slept when it felt appropriate

Question 5

What were the results of Siffres study?

Answer 5

He found that his body was working on a 25 hour clock rather than a 24hour
- Meaning he would agree with the exogenous debate

Question 6

Key evaluation points of Siffres study?

Answer 6

• Only done on one man so not generalisable (androcentric)
• Wasnt natural surrounding and may have caused some ethical issues
• Does have real world application as it can be used to explain how people need a clock