Biopsychology: biological rhythms -infradian

Question 1

what is a biological rhythm?

Answer 1

.a periodic activity of the body that is governed by: internal biological clocks (endogenous pacemakers) and external factors (exogenous zeitgebers)

Question 2

what is an infradian rhythm?

Answer 2

.a rhythm that lasts longer than 45 hours

Question 3

what is an example of an infradian rhythm?

Answer 3

.menstrual cycle:

Question 4

how does the menstrual cycle work as an infradian rhythm?

Answer 4

.lasts roughly 28 days
.rising levels of oestrogen cause the ovary to develop an egg (ovulation)
.after ovulation, the hormone progesterone helps the womb to grow thicker -if pregnancy doesn’t occur the womb lining sheds

Question 5

what is a strength to the menstrual cycle as an example of an infradian rhythm?

Answer 5

.cycle may be controlled externally rather than only by hormones:
-McClintock effect:
-menstrual cycle of women synchronised to donor if exposed to sweat from the donor however the McClintock effect could be explained through inconsistent cycles (eventually 2 cycles of differing lengths will synchronise anyway