Biopsychology: Circadian Rhythm 2024 - 2025 Flashcards
Key Term Focus
What two things are biological rhythms controlled by?
These are essential key terms
- Endogenous pacemakers
- Exogenous zeitgebers
These are essential key terms
Key Term Focus
What is meant by an endogenous pacemaker?
Internal body clock
Key Term Focus
What is meant by exogenous zeitgebers?
External factors in the environment
Key Term Focus
What is the difference between an endogenous pacemaker and an exogenous zeitgeber?
- Endogenous pacemaker = internal body clock
WHEREAS
- Exogenous zeitgeber = external factor in environment
Key Term Focus
What is a circadian rhythm?
A cycle that lasts for 24 hours
AO1 Focus
What is an example of a circadian rhythm?
The sleep wake cycle
AO1 Focus
What is an example of a cycle that lasts for 24 hours?
The sleep wake cycle
AO1 Focus
What is the main endogenous pacemaker involved in the sleep wake cycle?
Suprachiasatic Nucleus
(SCN)
AO1 Focus
What is the main biological structure involved in maintaining the sleep wake cycle?
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
(SCN)
AO1 Focus
What is the main exogenous zeitgeber involved in influencing our sleep wake cycle?
Light
AO1 Focus
What is the main external factor which influences our sleep wake cycle?
Light
AO1 Focus
Which gland is stimulated to release melotonin?
Remember the endocrine system
Pineal gland
AO1 Focus
What causes the pineal gland to become stimulated?
Less light is received by the retina
Remember melotonin promotes sleep - we get ‘sleepy’ when it’s dark = less light
AO1 Focus
What happens when our retina’s detect light again after sleeping?
Suprachiasmatic nucleus is reset
AO1 Focus
How does the SCN ‘resetting’ affect the pineal gland?
Inhibits (stops) release of melotonin
AO2 Focus
Name 3 negative consequences of our sleep wake cycle being disrupted
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Decreased attention
- Digestive problems
- Tiredness and poorer reasoning skils
- Increased anxiety and irritability
Realistically, you will only need to know 2-3 of these for the exam
AO2 Focus
Provide two examples of how our sleep wake cycle can become disrupted
- Jet lag
- Night shift work
AO2 Focus
Give 3 examples of how we could maintain our sleep wake cycle?
- Keep to local times for eating
- Keep to local times for sleeping
- Being social and active
- Using black out curtains
- Not using phones late at night
Again, realistically for the exam you would only need to know 2-3 of these
AO3 Focus
What was DeCoursey’s procedure?
This will form the first E of your PEEL
Destroyed te SCN in the brains of 30 chipmunks who were then returned to their natural habitat and observed
This will form the first E of your PEEL
AO3 Focus
What was DeCoursey’s finding?
This will form the second E of your PEEL
A significant portion of the chipmunks had been killed by predators.
This will form the second E of your PEEL
AO3 Focus
What does DeCoursey’s research show?
This will form part of your Link in your PEEL
That endogenous pacemakers are important in maintaining circadian rhythms
This will form part of your Link in your PEEL
DISCUSSION Focus
How can DeCoursey’s research be criticised?
This can be used as a follow up PEEL
Animal bias
This can be used as a follow up PEEL
DISCUSSION Focus
Why is DeCoursey’s research unable to be generlaised to females?
This can be used as a follow up PEEL
Humans may have a more complex interaction between endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers
This can be used as a follow up PEEL
AO3 Focus
What was Siffre’s procedure?
This will be your first E of your PEEL
He lived in a cave isolated from all exogenous zeitgebers for 6 months
This will be your first E of your PEEL
AO3 Focus
What did Siffre find within a few days of his study?
This will be your second E of your PEEL
He developed a consistent 25-hour cycle and continued to fall asleep and wake up on a regular basis
This will be your second E of your PEEL
AO3 Focus
What does Siffre’s research show
*This will be part of the Link of your PEEL
The sleep wake cycle is mostly controlled by endogenous pacements
*This will be part of the Link of your PEEL
DISCUSSION Focus
How can Siffre’s research can be criticised?
This can be used as a follow up PEEL
Lacking ecological validity
This can be used as a follow up PEEL