Brain Hot Topic Flashcards
Name the different types of brain waves
- Alpha
- Beta
- Theta
- Delta
- Mu
What is the beta wave
14-30hz with rapid oscillations with small amplitudes
functions: calm, alert, active, ready to learn
What are alpha waves
functions: relaxed, harder to concentrate, want to go to sleep
What are Mu waves?
Associated with physical movements or the intentions to move
Outline the stages of sleep
Stage 1: Alpha to theta waves
Non-REM:
- Breathing slows down
- Disengage from sensation
- Vivid mental imagery - Every activities
Stage 2: Theta - K complexes - Delta
Non-REM
- Brief periods of brain activity
- Small muscle twitches
- Breathing rhythmical
Stage 3: Theta - Delta - Theta
Non-REM
- Slow wave sleep
- Transition stage
Stage 4: Delta waves - 100%
Non-REM
- Oblivious to outside world
- Sleep-walking sleep-talking occur here
- Very difficult to wake-up ubt can have activites
Outline how sleep stages change over the lifespan
Sleep cycles composed of REM and NREM sleep last about 50 mins in kids and 90 mins in adults
Kids sleep cycles have large amounts of slow-wave (stage 3) sleep
In early adulthood the amount for slow-wave sleep begins to decline
Elderly adults have relatively short periods of slow-wave sleep and fewer o them - sleep is lighter and more fragmented with brief arousals or longer awakenings throughout the night
Explain the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SN) in setting and maintaining bio-rhythms
Located in the hypothalamus, just above optic chiasm.
The cells in SCN show oscillations of activity, This is related to setting circadian rhythm and believed to from the biological clock
Many functions are maintained in constant light or constant dark
Explain what the circadian rhythm is
The natural cycle of physical, mental, and behaviour changes that the body goes through in a 24-hour cycle.
physical, mental, and behavioural changes that follow a 24-hour cycle
Explain some of the common sleep disorders
Snoring/ Apnea
Insomnia: inability to sleep
Narcolepsy: Falling asleep in any sort of calm environment
Restless leg syndrome: irresistible urge to move legs
Discuss how sleeping patterns are thought to affect learning capacities
Poor sleep affects the brain’s ability to retain factual information and procedural memories, which inhibits the learning of both academic subjects and non-academic skill. This can impact our declarative memory and our procedural memory.
