Theories Of Sleep Flashcards
Define: Sleep Deprivation
When someone is prevented from sleeping
(A02) what happens if the growth hormone isn’t released? What theory does this support and why?
- Serious illnesses can occur such as fibrosis
- Restoration theory as it shows that deprivation of the growth hormone can cause serious problems in our body
(A02) how is a sloth sleeping for 20 hours an issue for restoration theory?
Because sloths are generally quite small animals that expend little energy (traveling the span of just 1.2 acres in 12 months) so what do they have to repair body/brain wise that takes 20 hours of sleep?
(A02) - Detail Stern and Morgane’s results
-State which theory it supports and why
- Longer sleep (particularly stage 4) occurs in growing children. REM occupies 50% of sleep in babies compared with only 20% in adults
- restoration theory it shows that babies, whose bodies and brains are growing at a rapid rate at this age have more REM sleep. brain restoration and information organization is shown to occur in this stage of sleep and suggesting that babies are doing a lot of their developing during sleep
(A02) state how high levels of brain activity at night is an issue for restoration theory
Because it cannot explain how neurotransmitter levels are restored - surely if the brain is active dreaming etc then it can’t be restocking neurotransmitter levels at the same time
(A02) Summarise Shapiro’s evidence and state what theory it supports and why
- Ultra marathon runners found the slept for an extra 90 minute sleep cycle after a race
- Supports restoration theory as it shows that after strenuous physical activity the body needs extra sleep to restore, repair and renew any depleted resources
Define: Restoration Theory
These theories believe that sleep has a restorative function on the body and brain ‘repairing’ them back to their normal, healthy, waking state
Define: Fatal Familial Insomnia
A very rare genetic condition which results in the sufferer not being able to sleep, ever!
Define: Ecological/Evolutionary Theories
These theories believe that sleep is a product of evolution and it’s job is simply one of increasing chances of survival
Who suggested body restoration theory?
Oswald
When is the growth hormone released?
During SWS and its highest concentration is during stages 3&4, the growth hormone is released from the pituitary gland
Detail REM sleep and memory
Through out the day we are constantly taking in information so during REM sleep our brain organizes and processes this information, creating new memory shortcuts
Brain growth and REM
During REM sleep our brains restock neurotransmitter levels that have been depleted during the day. This could explain why we have a sore head after a day of exams
Immune system and SWS
The less sleep you get, the weaker your immune system becomes therefore you become more susceptible to illness
Detail energy conservation theory
Warm blooded animals expend alot of energy. However this is problematic for small animals with a high metabolism. For example a mouse, all activities expend energy because they are so small and their metabolism is so high therefore sleep is a means of conserving their energy
