BIOPSYCHOLOGY Circadian Rhythms

Question 1

What are biological rhythms?

Answer 1

All living organisms are subject to ‘biological rhythms’ which have an influence on the way in which body systems behave

Question 2

Rhythms are controlled by

Answer 2

Endogenous pacemakers

Exogenous zeitgebers

Question 3

What are endogenous pacemakers

Answer 3

Internal body clock

Question 4

What are exogenous zeitgebers

Answer 4

External changes in environment

Question 5

What are the 3 types of biological rhythms

Answer 5

Circadian
Infradian
Ultradian

Question 6

What is circadian rhythms and give an example

Answer 6

A type of biological rhythm subject to a 24 hour cycle for example the sleep wake cycle

Question 7

Who conducted the cave study

Answer 7

Siffre

Question 8

Aim for Siffres cave study

Answer 8

To investigate the extent to shuck endogenous pacemakers affects sleeping behaviour when deprived of exogenous zeitgebers

Question 9

Explain the procedure if Siffres cave study

Answer 9

Spent several extended periods underground in caves

Deprived of exposure to natural light ans sound

Spent two months in caves in southern alpes, he has also spent six months in a Texan cave

Question 10

Explain the findings of Siffres cave study

Answer 10

His ‘free running’ biological rhythm settled down to one that was just beyond 24 hours (extended to 25 hours)

He continued to sleep and wake on a regular schedule

Question 11

Explain the two conclusions of siffres cave study

Answer 11

Small difference in his sleep wake cycle suggests that sleeping behaviour is controlled mostly by endogenous pacemakers - therefore have a key role to play in circadian rhythms

Exogenous zeitgebers are somewhat important because without external cues, his sleep wake cycle changed to 25 hours