circadian rhythms

Question 1

explain ‘biological rhythms’?

Answer 1

-all living organisms are subject to biological rhythms, governed by the body’s internal clocks (endogenous pacemakers) and external changes (exogeneous zeitgebers)

Question 2

explain ‘the sleep/wake cycle’?

Answer 2

-we feel drowsy during the night and alert the during the day= shows effect of day light

Question 3

evaluate shift work for ‘sleep/wake cycle’

Answer 3

STRENGTH
-knowledge of circadian rhythm has given researchers better understanding of consequences due to disruption of the cycle
-night workers experienced reduced concentration around 6am =mistakes more likely
-research also found correlation between shift work and poor health= 3x more likely to develop heart disease
=practical application

Question 4

evaluate drug treatment for circadian rhythms?

Answer 4

STRENGTH

• circadian rhythms coordinate a number of body processes eg. heart rate=effects drugs and how well the body absorbs them
• research shows certain peak times when drugs are likely to be most effective= development of guidelines

Question 5

explain Siffre’s (seef’s) case study?

Answer 5

STRENGTH

• derived from natural light+sound but access to food and drink in underground
• done this twice and after 2 month and 6 month study he said his endogenous pacemaker was one around the normal 24 hours.

Question 6

explain Folkard Research?

Answer 6

• studied 12 students who stayed in cave for 3 weeks
• went to bed at 11:45pm and woke @ 7:45
• researchers sped up clock so it was a 22 hour day
• only 1 pp adjusted to regime
• suggests circadian rhythm cannot be easily overridden by external environment

Question 7

evaluate use of case studies and small group research?

Answer 7

WEAKNESS

• involved small amount of pp’s Folkard+12
• may not be representative of general population, lacks external validity, cant be generalised
• Siffre said at age 60 his internal clock moved slower = when same person is involved shows factors to prevent generalisation