Ch. 7 Importance of sleep

Question 1

Sleep

Answer 1

An altered state of consciousness that features the suspension of awareness of the external environment

Question 2

REM sleep

Answer 2

A type of sleep characterised by brainwaves with high frequency and low amplitude. The muscles are in a state of paralysis and dreams may be experienced

Question 3

NREM sleep

Answer 3

A type of sleep where the sleeper falls into a deeper sleep as the stages progress. Characterised by relaxation of the muscles and a slowing down of physiological functions

Question 4

Hypnogogic state

Answer 4

A state when a person is drifting from wakefulness to sleep

Question 5

Hypnic jerk

Answer 5

A reflex muscle contraction that occurs during stage 1 NREM sleep as the body is relaxing

Question 6

Dreams

Answer 6

A series of images, thoughts and emotions that passes through the mind during sleep

Question 7

Paradoxical sleep

Answer 7

Occurs during REM sleep where physiologically a lack of muscle tone is experienced and the body is still and relaxed but the brain is active and alert

Question 8

Biological rhythms

Answer 8

The cyclical natural rhythms our body follows to perform a variety of functions

Question 9

Circadian rhythms

Answer 9

Regular automatic physiological changes that occur during a 24 hour cycle to regulate bodily processes

Question 10

Ultradian rhythm

Answer 10

A biological rhythm that follows a cycle of less than 24 hours such as eye blinks, heartbeats and sleep patterns

Question 11

Melatonin

Answer 11

A hormone secreted by the pineal gland that causes drowsiness and helps regulate the sleep - wake cycle

Question 12

Restoration theory

Answer 12

A theory that states that sleep is vital for replenishing the mind and body to keep them functioning at optimal levels

Question 13

Evolutionary theory

Answer 13

A theory that suggests that we have periods of sleep when we do not need to engage in activities important to our survival