Biopsychology: Biological Rhythms (Circadian, Infradian & Ultradian)

Question 1

What is an ultradian rhythm with an example?

Answer 1

A cycle less than 24 hours e.g. the stages of sleep

Question 2

Define the term circadian rhythm and give an example.

Answer 2

A cycle that lasts for 24 hours e.g. sleep-wake cycle

Question 3

Define the term infradian rhythms and give an example.

Answer 3

A cycle that lasts longer than 24 hours e.g. the menstrual cycle

Question 4

What is meant by the term endogenous pacemaker?

Answer 4

Internal body clock

Question 5

What is meant by the term exogenous zeitgeber?

Answer 5

External factors that influence the body clock

Question 6

Name the main endogenous pacemaker in the sleep-wake cycle.

Answer 6

Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN)

Question 7

In the sleep wake cycle, when it goes dark less light is received by the …

Answer 7

Retina

Question 8

What does the SCN stimulate?

Answer 8

The pineal gland

Question 9

What is released by the pineal gland to promote sleep?

Answer 9

Melatonin

Question 10

Name an exogneous zeitgeber is the sleep-wake cycle

Answer 10

Light
Clocks

Question 11

Siffre spent six months in a cave. What happened to his circadian rhythm?

Answer 11

It went from 24 hours to a 25 hour cycle

Question 12

What is a problem with Siffre’s research?

Answer 12

Low population validity - case study
Lacks ecological validity - unlike real life

Question 13

Explain what Wever did and why it supports Siffre.

Answer 13

Wever conducted research over 400 times where people were in an underground bunker with a free running rhythm

Supports Siffre as they developed a 25 hour cycle showing role of endogenous factors

Question 14

How long does the menstrual cycle last?

Answer 14

28-35 days

Question 15

What happens on the first day of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 15

Womb lining is shed

Question 16

What does the pituitary gland release during the menstrual cycle?

Answer 16

FSH

Question 17

FSH leads to the release of which hormone?

Answer 17

Oestrogen

Question 18

An increase in oestrogen leads to increased?

Answer 18

LH

Question 19

What does Oestrogen and progesterone do in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 19

Oestrogen - develops the lining of the womb
Progesterone helps it grow thicker

Question 20

What happens to the egg if pregnancy does not occur?

Answer 20

Egg is absorbed into the body

Question 21

Name two exogenous factors that can influence the menstrual cycle.

Answer 21

Stress
Pheromones

Question 22

Define the term pheromones.

Answer 22

Chemical scent

Question 23

What did Russell find?

Answer 23

4 out of 5 women synchronised their cycle to within one day of the donor due to pheromones.

Question 24

Explain one problem with Russell’s research on infradian rhythms

Answer 24

Low control - other factors such as light could have affected the rhythms not just pheromones

Question 25

Why is synchronising cycles beneficial?

Answer 25

If many women are breast feeding at the same time, one mother could take over care of an orphaned child.

Question 26

How many stages of sleep are there?

Answer 26

5 stages

Question 27

Which way of studying the brain is used to study sleep?

Answer 27

EEG

Question 28

In stage 1 and 2 which brain waves are identified?

Answer 28

Alpha

Question 29

What occurs only is stage 2?

Answer 29

K-complex Sleep Spindles

Question 30

Which waves are released in stage 3 and 4?

Answer 30

Delta

Question 31

What can be said about the body in REM sleep (stage 5)?

Answer 31

Paralysed

Question 32

Which waves are identified in REM (stage 5)?

Answer 32

Theta

Question 33

In which stage do dreams most likely occur?

Answer 33

Stage 5 (REM)

Question 34

What has research shown about stage 4 sleep in old age?

Answer 34

People in old age have less stage 4 sleep so can learn relaxation techniques or take medication to increase stage 4 sleep.

Question 35

Why can research into ultradian rhythms be argued to use scientific methods.

Answer 35

EEG's are objective and empirical methods and sleep labs are controlled.

Question 36

Why can it be argued that sleep labs have low ecological validity?

Answer 36

Sleep labs are an artificial setting and due to the unfamiliar surroundings and being attached to electrodes may not reflect sleep stages in the real world.

Question 37

Name two ways biological rhythms can be disrupted?

Answer 37

Jet lag Shift work

Question 38

What can happen when sleep-wake cycle is disrupted?

Answer 38

Difficulty in sleeping Decreased attention Digestive problems Tiredness and poor reasoning skills Increased anxiety and irritability.

Question 39

How can a person maintain their sleep wake cycle?

Answer 39

Keep to local time for eating and sleeping Stimulate yourself during the day Use black out curtains at night Not using phones and screens late at night.

Question 40

What did the researchers do to the chipmunks in DeCoursey's research?

Answer 40

Destroyed connections to the SCN

Question 41

What happened to the chipmunks due to their SCN being destroyed?

Answer 41

Sleep wake cycle disappeared A significant proportion had been killed by predators

Question 42

What is a limitation for DeCoursey's research?

Answer 42

Animal bias - humans may have more complex biological rhythms so harder to generalise from animal to humans