Biopsychology: endogenous pacemakers

Question 1

what is an endogenous pacemaker?

Answer 1

.refers to internal biological processes and organs that control our biological rhythm

Question 2

what is an example of an endogenous pacemaker?

Answer 2

.SCN

Question 3

what is the SCN?

Answer 3

.biological master clock
.tiny bundle of nerves

Question 4

where is the SCN located?

Answer 4

.hypothalamus
.above optic chiasm

Question 5

what is the role of the SCN?

Answer 5

.resets our body clock
.maintains circadian rhythms

Question 6

how does the SCN reset our body clock?

Answer 6

.by regulating the manufacture and secretion of melatonin in the pineal gland through an interconnecting neural pathway

Question 7

what does melatonin do?

Answer 7

.induces/stimulates sleep

Question 8

how does the SCN work?

Answer 8

.receives information about light levels via the optic nerve

Question 9

when does the SCN need resetting?

Answer 9

.when external light levels change

Question 10

who conducted the study to support the role of endogenous pacemakers?

Answer 10

.morgan 1995

Question 11

what did Morgan 1995 investigate?

Answer 11

.investigated the role of endogenous pacemakers in the circadian rhythms of hamsters

Question 12

what did Morgan 1995 do?

Answer 12

.removed the SCN in hamsters and found their circadian rhythms disappeared

Question 13

how does Morgan 1995’s study support the role of endogenous pacemakers?

Answer 13

.shows the importance and the value of the SCN in the sleep wake cycle because by getting rid of the SCN in hamsters biological rhythms stopped