Biopsychology Flashcards
what is an ultradian rhythm (give an example)
any rhythm where there is more than one cycle in a 24 hour period (sleep)
what is an ultradian rhythm (give an example)
less than one cycle in a 24 hour period (menstrual cycle)
what does REM stand for
rapid eye movement
what does NREM stand for
non rapid eye movement
what are the 5 distinct stages of sleep which have been identified?
1)light sleep
-muscle activity slows down
2)light sleep (45-55%)
-breathing and heart rate slow down. Body temp decreases.
3)deep sleep
-brain starts to generate slow delta waves
4)very deep sleep (15%)
-rhythmic breathing, limited muscle activity
5)REM sleep (25%)
-brainwaves speed up. heart rate increases. breathing is rapid. dreaming occurs. atonia
what are beta waves, when are they present?
beta waves have a high frequency and no reliable pattern. they are present during wakefulness.
what are delta waves and when are they present?
they are present during NREM sleep. Activity dramatically decelerates. Ten times slower than wakefulness. Have a highly predictable pattern.
what are theta waves and when are they present?
present during rem sleep. almost identical to the frequency we have during wakefulness. brain seems awake but the body is asleep. emotions, motivations, memories are played out like a movie in your brain.
what is the oestrogen’s role in the menstrual cycle
the rising levels of oestrogen cause the ovary to develop and then release an egg.
what is the progesterone’s role in the menstrual cycle?
progesterone helps the uterus lining to grow thicker, readying the body for pregnancy.
what is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
a depressive disorder (described in DSM-5) with a seasonal pattern. Has symptoms just like other forms of depression.
why does SAD occur- link to melatonin
1) the hormone melatonin is implicated in the cause of SAD
2) During the night, the pineal gland secretes melatonin until dawn when there is an increase of light.
3)during the winter, the lack of light in the morning means this secretion process continues for longer
4) this is thought to have an effect on the production of serotonin in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter linked to the onset of depressive symptoms.
what is the nervous system
a complex network of nerves and cells that carry electrical impulses to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body.
what is the cerebrum
it is the largest part of the brain. It is split up in 4 lobes. It is responsible for a range of functions; personality, speech, visual, motor ability. Each lobe has its own specific function. Also, posture and balance.
what Is the diencephalon and what does it do?
it is made up of the thalamus (relay station for incoming nerve impulses) and the hypothalamus (controls temp+ allows hormones to be released from pituitary gland)
