sleep

Question 1

what is sleep

Answer 1

sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by altered consciousness, reduced sensory activity, and inhibition of voluntary muscles

Question 2

why is sleep important

Answer 2

it is a vital physiological process essential for overall health and well-being

Question 3

what happens during sleep?

Answer 3

the body undergoes various restorative processes, such as memory consolidation, hormone regulation and cellular repair, contributing to physical and cognitive functions.

Question 4

why do we sleep when we do?

Answer 4

the human sleep-wake cycle is a circadian rhythm. its a natural, internal biological clock that cycles roughly every 24 hours. it is regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hindbrain, influences the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Melatonin levels typically rise in the evening, promoting sleep, and decrease in the morning to promote wakefulness

Question 5

melatonin

Answer 5

melatonin is a natural product found in plants and animals. it is primarily known in animals as a hormone released by the pineal gland in the brain at night, and has long been associated with control of the sleep-wake cycle

Question 6

pineal gland

Answer 6

a gland located in the centre of the brain that helps regulate body rhythms and sleep cycles.

Question 7

key factors influencing the timing of sleep

Answer 7

• light exposure
• social and environmental cues
• temperature fluctuations
• individual variations.

Question 8

functions of sleep

Answer 8

restoration and repair, memory consolidation, energy conservation, hormonal regulation and cognitive function.

Question 9

what happens when we sleep

Answer 9

we become unresponsive to external stimuli, however we are very active during sleep.

Question 10

processes that the body goes under during sleep

Answer 10

hormonal regulation, immune system support, an metabolic regulation

Question 11

the two types of sleep

Answer 11

non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep
rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
- periods of NREM sleep alternate with REM sleep about 4-5 times during a nights sleep

Question 12

characteristics and patterns of sleep - REM

Answer 12

• a type of sleep characterised by brainwaves with high frequency and low amplitude
• the muscles of the body are in a state of paralysis and dreams may be experienced

Question 13

NREM stage 1

Answer 13

light sleep; transition from wakefulness to sleep. it lasts for a few minutes, and its easy to be awakened

alpha, theta 5-10mins

Question 14

characteristics and patterns of sleep - NREM

Answer 14

• 4 stages
• characterised by relaxation of the muscles, a slowing down of physiological functions and brainwaves that decrease in frequency and increase in amplitude.

Question 15

NREM stage 2

Answer 15

slightly deeper sleep; characterised by the presence of sleep spindles and K-complexes. body temperature decreases, and heart rate slows

theta 10-20mins

Question 16

NREM stage 3

Answer 16

Slow-Wave Sleep (SWS)
Deep sleep stages; essential for physical restoration and growth. these stages are often referred to as ‘deep sleep’

theta delta 30 mins

Question 17

REM sleep dreaming

Answer 17

most vivid dreams occur during REM sleep. brain activity is similar to wakefulness, but voluntary muscles are temporarily paralyzed, preventing the physical enactment of dreams

Question 18

REM sleep memory consolidation

Answer 18

REM sleep is associated with the consolidation of emotional and procedural memories

Question 19

REM sleep brain restoration

Answer 19

REM sleep is believed to play a role in maintaining cognitive function and emotional well-being

Question 20

sleep hygiene

Answer 20

Sleep hygiene refers to a set of practices and habits that promote good sleep quality and overall healthy sleep. These practices aim to create an environment and lifestyle conducive to restful and rejuvenating sleep.

Question 21

brain waves

Answer 21

beta, alpha, theta, delta

Question 22

what does EEG measure

Answer 22

Detects, Amplifies, and records the electrical activity of the brain in the form of brainwaves.

Question 23

beta brain wave

Answer 23

high frequency and low amplitude
- indicates
- awake, active, and alert state (i.e normal waking consciousness)
- REM sleep

Question 24

alpha brain wave

Answer 24

medium frequency and medium to low amplitude
indicates:
hypnogogic state (awake and relaxed)
daydreaming, meditating
NREM stage 1

Question 25

theta brain waves

Answer 25

medium frequency and a mixture of high to medium amplitude
- indicates:
NREM stage 1, NREM stage 2, NREM stage 3 (only first half)

Question 26

delta brainwaves

Answer 26

low frequency and high amplitude
indicates:
NREM stage 3 (later half)
NREM stage 4 (deep sleep)

Question 27

brainwaves from light sleep to deep sleep

Answer 27

1. beta - awake 2. alpha - relaxed 3. theta - asleep 4. delta - deep sleep

Question 28

4 NREM

Answer 28

deepest, hard to wake, disorientated (delta) 20 mins at beginning less as night goes on

Question 29

sleep deprivation

Answer 29

if we don’t get enough sleep then we experience sleep deprivation
consequences include low concentration and attention
if we are sleep deprives than we may experience microsleeps - brief periods where we drift into sleep but still appear awake.

Question 30

REM sleep deprivation

Answer 30

daytime memory lapses, poor concentration and anxiety
experienced more REM sleep than they usually would experience REM rebound

Question 31

REM rebound

Answer 31

the recovery (‘catching up’) of REM sleep immediately following a period of lost REM sleep by spending more time than usual in REM sleep
that is, increasing the relative amount of REM sleep during subsequent sleep periods

Question 32

psychological effects of sleep deprivation

Answer 32

Simple and routine tasks are very difficult for the sleep deprived-most people experience problems with attention and concentration eg driving a car

Question 33

physical effects of sleep deprivation

Answer 33

may cause physical growth processes to be interrupted.

muscle strength and endurance is reduced

Ability to form fine motor functions such as hand writing is impaired

Immune system is weakened

increased chance of infections

Appetite increases and this can lead to long term weight gain

Question 34

microsleeps

Answer 34

A very short period (2–5 second) of drowsiness or sleep that occurs while a person is apparently awake

Question 35

how much sleep do we need

Answer 35

• Over the course of our lifespan, the amount of sleep we need changes.
• Amount of night-time sleep decreases with age
• Proportion of time spent in REM decreases with age

Question 36

what are dreams

Answer 36

Every night we experience strange narratives and stories when we sleep.
These are dreams, and most often occur during the stage of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

Question 37

freuds psychodynamic theory of dreaming

Answer 37

Sigmund Freud theory was the psychoanalytic that we dream to safely release troubling and anxiety producing thoughts.

Question 38

the threat simulation theory of dreaming

Answer 38

Antti Revonsuo’s evolutionary hypothesis suggests that dreaming, especially intense and threatening scenarios during REM sleep, evolved as a survival mechanism, allowing the brain to simulate and rehearse responses to potential dangers.

Question 39

polysomnograpphy

Answer 39

a test used to diagnose sleep disorders.

Question 40

evolutionary psych

Answer 40

Evolutionary psychology is a branch of psychology that studies human behavior, thought, and feeling through the lens of evolutionary biology.