Sleep and Dreams

Question 1

What is the definition of sleep?

Answer 1

A state of reduced conscious awareness during which the body is less active and less responsive to the outside world

Question 2

What is the definition of circadian rhythms?

Answer 2

The body’s natural processes that vary over a 24 hour cycle such as the sleep/wake cycle

Question 3

What is the definition of sleep debt?

Answer 3

A lack of sleep someone has to ‘pay back’ by oversleeping other nights

Question 4

Why is sleep important?

Answer 4

Sleep plays an important role in your physical health, for example it is involved in the healing and repair of your body such as your heart and blood vessels.

Question 5

What are some side effects of sleep deficiency?

Answer 5

Linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.

Question 6

How can evidence be gathered on a sleeping individual and what does it record?

Answer 6

Using a polysomnography which records physical changes in the brain and body.

Question 7

What is an EEG and what does it do?

Answer 7

An EEG is a brain monitor that measures the brain’s electrical activity, and other body activity e.g. eye movement, heart rate and oxygen intake and displays this on a screen or print-out.

Question 8

How many stages does the body go through when we sleep?

Answer 8

5

Question 9

Describe stage 1 of sleep

Answer 9

You are drifting between wakefulness and sleep, you can be easily woken and can still hear noises.

Question 10

Describe stage 2 of sleep

Answer 10

Begins after around 10 minutes. You become less responsive