Biopsychology - Biological Rhythms

Question 1

What are biological rhythms?

Answer 1

The natural cycle of changes in our body’s chemicals or functions

Question 2

What are the 3 biological rhythms?

Answer 2

Ultradian
Circadian
Infradian

Question 3

What is the Ultradian rhythm?

Answer 3

A recurring function at regular intervals in less than 24 hours

Question 4

What is an example of an Ultradian rhythm?

Answer 4

The sleep cycle

Question 5

What is the circadian rhythm?

Answer 5

The body’s biological internal clock working at approximately 24 hours

Question 6

What is an example of the circadian rhythm?

Answer 6

The sleep/wake cycle

Question 7

What is the Infradian rhythm?

Answer 7

A rhythm in regular occurrence in cycles of more than 24 hours

Question 8

What is an example of the Infradian rhythm?

Answer 8

The menstrual cycle

Question 9

What are exogenous zeitgebers?

Answer 9

External factors

Question 10

What are some examples of exogenous zeitgebers?

Answer 10

Light/dark or social cues

Question 11

What are endogenous pacemakers?

Answer 11

Internal factors

Question 12

What are some examples of endogenous pacemakers?

Answer 12

Hormones e.g. melatonin

Question 13

What is entrainment?

Answer 13

Resetting the biological using exogenous zeitgebers

Question 14

What study was done on the effects of a lack of exogenous zeitgebers on biological rhythms?

Answer 14

Siffre’s cave study

Question 15

What was the procedure of Siffre’s cave study?

Answer 15

Spent 2 months in the caves of the southern alps deprived of natural light & sound but had access to food & water & re-surfaced in mid sept 1962 believing it to be mid august

Question 16

What were the findings from Siffre’s cave study?

Answer 16

His ‘free running’ biological rhythm settled to one that was 25 hours although he did continue to fall asleep & wake up on a regular schedule