Biopsychology: Biological Rhythms Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the biological rhythms?

A
  • Ultradian rhythms
  • Infradian rhythms
  • Circadian rhythms
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2
Q

How long do ultradian rhythms last? Example?

A

Take less than 24 hours.

E.g. Sleep Stages cycle.

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3
Q

How long do infradian rhythms last? Example?

A

Take longer than 24 hours

E.g. menstrual cycle, SAD.

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4
Q

What research is used for infradian rhythms?

A

McClintock: Samples of pheromones from women’s armpits. Suggests menstrual cycle may be influenced by exogenous factors.

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5
Q

What does SAD stand for?

A

Seasonal Affective Disorder.

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6
Q

What is SAD?

A

Occurs when longer nights. Melatonin secreted in pineal gland at night. Linked to increase in depressive symptoms.

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7
Q

How many stages of the sleep cycle are there?

A

4/5

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8
Q

What is stages 1+2 of sleep cycle?

A

Person is in light sleep - can be easily woken.
Breathing and heart rate slows down.
Brain patterns become slower.

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9
Q

What happens in stage 3+4 of sleep cycle?

A

Deep sleep. Brain begins to produce slow delta waves.

Rhythmic breathing.

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10
Q

What is stage 5 of sleep cycle?

A

REM: Rapid eye movement. Brainwaves speed up and dreaming occurs.

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11
Q

How long does each sleep cycle occur?

A

90 minutes.

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12
Q

What are negatives of sleep stages?

A

Individual differences - not everyone will have the same sleep pattern.
Study in controlled lab setting may be invasive not representing ordinary sleep cycle.

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13
Q

What is a circadian rhythm?

A

Any cycle that lasts 24 hours.

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14
Q

What are biological rhythms regulated by?

A

Endogenous pacemakers and Exogenous zeitgebers.

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15
Q

What are Endogenous pacemakers?

A

Body’s internal body clock that regulate biological rhythms.

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16
Q

What is an example of Endogenous pacemakers (EP)?

A

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) - detects light, even when eyes are closed.

17
Q

What are Exogenous zeitgebers (EZ)?

A

External factors in the environment which reset our biological clocks e.g. light.

18
Q

How do endogenous pacemakers affect sleep-wake cycle?

A

SCN (master clock) receives info about light from optic nerve. Sends signal to pineal gland - increased melatonin at night.

19
Q

What case study supports endogenous pacemakers?

A

Michel Siffre - spent 61 days and nights in a cave. No EZ’s (lights, clocks). Only influence was body clock.

20
Q

What did Michel Siffre find?

A

His sleep-wake circadian rhythm extended to 25-32 hours.

21
Q

What can we conclude from Siffre’s study?

A

Without EZ’s, our biological rhythms still operate, however they become out of synch with the 24 hour day.

22
Q

What are EZ’s responsible for?

A

Responsible for resetting the body clock each day, keeping it on 24hr cycle.