Environmental: Topic 2 KEY TERMS TEST Flashcards
Definition of
zeitgebers
‘Time giver’ in German (a cue for biological rhythms)
Definition of
circadian rhythm
24 hour cycle (meaning ‘around a day’ [circa dies] in Latin
Definition of
ultradian rhythm
Cycles which last less than 24 hours
Definition of
infradian rhythm
Cycles which last more than 24 hours
Definition of
circannual rhythm
Example of a infradian rhythm, which occurs because of seasonal change.
E.g., migration, hibernation.
Definition of
SCM -> suprachaismatic nucleus
The part of the brain which controls our daily rhythms including sleep, physical activity, hormone levels, body temperature and digestive activity.
Definition of
pineal gland
The other part of the brain which is involved in maintaining our sleep-wake cylce
Definition of
REM -> rapid eye movement
The phase of sleep most associated with dreaming
Definition of
paradoxical sleep
What REM sleep is also called because it is simultaneously characterised by physical paralysis and levels of brain activity comparable with wakefulness
Definition of
thermoregulation
[Sleep plays an important role in]
regulating body temperature
Definition of
Phase delay
Change in shift patterns in a forward direction
Definition of
Phase advance
Change in shift patterns in a backward direction
Definition of
Czeisler et al (1982)
The key research investigating the effect of shift work schedules that disrupt sleep patterns by applying circadian principles
