Circadian Rhythms - Endogenous Pacemaker and Exogenous Zeitgebers Flashcards
What is meant by a circadian rhythm and give an example
- CR are bio rhythms that last for 24 hours
- one example is the sleep wake cycle
- they are affected by endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers
What is meant by endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers?
- endogenous pacemakers are int factors that help us maintain biological rhythms such as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
- our bio rhythms are also affected by exogenous zeitgebers which are ext factors such as lights
Describe how endogenous pacemakers affect the sleep wake cycle
*- the sleep wake cycle is controlled by the master endogenous pacemaker called the SCN, which acts as an int body clock
*- when less light is detected by retina in eyes during the dark
*- this sends info to SCN, causing pineal gland to release melatonin
*- therefore sleep
- eyes detect light again (exogenous zeitgeber)
- resets SCN, causes pineal gland to stop releasing melatonin
- disrupts sleep so indv wakes up
Describe how exogenous zeitgebers affect the sleep wake cycle?
- ext factors in env such as light that influence our sleep wake cycle
- which resets SCN
- social cues such as mealtimes or social int can also inf sleep wake cycle
- as it makes us less alert once eaten dinner
- suggesting sleep wake cycle is influenced by both exo and endo
AO2 APPLICATION ONLY - How can the effects of a disrupted sleep wake cycle be managed?
- when our sleep wake cycle is disrupted by reasons such as jetlag or shiftwork, it can lead to neg consequences such as difficulty sleeping, decreased attention, tiredness, inc anx
- this can be maintained by keep to local times for eating and sleeping, stimulate self during the day by being social, use black out curtains at night and dont use phone at night
What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate the effect of exo and endo on sleep wake cycle?
RTS by Decoursey
Discussion - animal bias
RTS by Michael Siffre
