Circadian Rhythms - BIOPSYCHOLOGY

Question 1

what are biological rhythms

Answer 1

recurring patterns of behaviour in the body’s systems (long-term)

Question 2

examples of biological rhythms

Answer 2

endocrine system, immune system

Question 3

what are circadian rhythms

Answer 3

a pattern or cycle that lasts around a day (short-term)

Question 4

how have human circadian rhythms been affected by evolution

Answer 4

evolutionary pressure on rhythms included avoiding predators and repair/recovery/growth

Question 5

like many organisms, what does our biological clock respond to

Answer 5

sunlight

Question 6

cycle to wake (starting at sunlight)

Answer 6

sunlight –> photoreceptor (retina) –> SCN (hypothalamus) –> intense/ blue light –> cortisol (pituitary) –> wake

Question 7

cycle to sleep (starting at sunlight)

Answer 7

sunlight –> photoreceptor (retina) –> SCN (hypothalamus) –> faint/ red light –> melatonin (pineal) –> sleep

Question 8

what occurs at 2am

Answer 8

deepest sleep

Question 9

what occurs at 4:30am

Answer 9

lowest body temperature

Question 10

what occurs at 6:45am

Answer 10

sharpest blood pressure rise

Question 11

what occurs at 7:30am

Answer 11

melatonin secretion stops

Question 12

what occurs at 2:30pm

Answer 12

best co-ordination

Question 13

what occurs at 3:30pm

Answer 13

fastest reaction time

Question 14

what occurs at 5pm

Answer 14

greatest cardiovascular effiency and muscle strength

Question 15

what occurs at 6:30pm

Answer 15

highest blood pressure

Question 16

what occurs at 7pm

Answer 16

highest body temperature

Question 17

what occurs at 9pm

Answer 17

melatonin secretion starts

Question 18

pineal gland function in circadian rhythms

Answer 18

converts serotonin to melatonin and ‘puts us to sleep’

Question 19

pituitary gland function

Answer 19

releases hormones to control other glands, the ‘master gland’

Question 20

hippocampus function

Answer 20

associated with STM - episodic buffer

Question 21

somatosensory cortex function

Answer 21

sensory information - creates ‘sensations’ (mostly touch)

Question 22

motor cortex function

Answer 22

voluntary movement