Circadian Rhythms Flashcards
define biological rhythms
clinical patterns within biological systems that have evolved in response to environmental influences
define circadian rhythm
type of biological rhythm which is a 24 hr cycle and is set and reset by levels of light
Explain the sleep wake cycle as a circadian rhythm
- type of circadian rhythm which dictates when humans or animals should be sleep or awake
-light provides the primary input to this system acting as external cues for sleeping or waking - light is first detected by the eye which sends messages concerning the level of brightness to the SCN and this information coordinates the activity of the entire circadian rhythm, detecting whether your asleep or awake
Describe body temperature
-another circadian rhythm
- temperature is at its lowest in the early hours of the morning (36 degrees at 4:30am) and at its highest in the early evening (38 degrees at 6pm)
- sleep occurs when core body temperature drops and the temperature starts to rise towards the end of the sleep wake cycle promoting alertness
Describe homeostasis in sleep wake cycle
It also determines sleeping and awakeness
- homeostasis tells the body when their is a need for sleep because of energy consumption
-this homeostatic drive for sleep increases throughout the day
AO3 circadian rhythms
+research support by siffre
- in cave- no artificial light or clocks- woke slept ate when he felt like it- he left and believed the date to be a month earlier
—use of case studies and small sample
- sleep wake cycle studies use small sample- can’t generalise- individual differences in duration and stages of circadian
—confounding variable of artificial light
-pps acccsess to artificial light - siffre turned on lamp when he woke up and it remained on
— detrimental impact on health in shift work
- night shift workers- although we have knowledge unable to give improvements- workers have a period of reduced concentration around 6am- mistakes-economic implications
