Theories of Sleep

Question 1

What are the two types of theories for sleep?

Answer 1

evolutionary

restoration

Question 2

What is restoration theory?

Answer 2

proposes that sleep is a time out for the body

= provides time for the body and mind to recover and replenish from the activities during the day

Question 3

How does sleep replenish the body?

Answer 3

replenishes the neurotransmitters

= repairs damaged cells and removes waste

Question 4

What does REM sleep do in the restoration theory?

Answer 4

important for restoring the brain

Question 5

What does NREM sleep do in the restoration theory?

Answer 5

important for restoring the body

Question 6

How is the growth hormone associated with the restoration theory?

Answer 6

• sleep releases the growth hormone

= promotes physical growth

Question 7

What are some benefits according to the restoration theory?

Answer 7

• repairs the body and brain
  = increases alertness
  = increases growth
  = increases immunity to disease

Question 8

What are the criticisms of the restoration theory?

Answer 8

not proven to know that something is getting repaired during sleep or when you are awake
= assumption that sleep is need more when you are active

Question 9

What is the evolutionary theory?

Answer 9

states that animals sleep in times when they do not have to engage in activities for their survival
= eating

Question 10

What does food do in regards to the evolutionary theory?

Answer 10

small animals do not consume that much food

= don’t need to be awake for so long

Question 11

Why does an animal sleep for survival?

Answer 11

animal is inactive = predators are less likely to attack

= more safe during the day than at night

Question 12

What does energy conservation do in sleep?

Answer 12

metabolism slows down and energy is conserved

Question 13

What are the benefits of the evolutionary theory?

Answer 13

= conserves energy
= depends on the need for food
= depends on the animals vulnerability to predators

Question 14

What are the criticisms of the evolutionary theory?

Answer 14

= doesn’t explain our need for sleep
= doesn’t explain how our awareness levels drop when asleep which ultimately makes animals more vulnerable to sleep
= based on animal studies

Question 15

What is the evidence that supports the restorative theory?

Answer 15

marathon runners required more sleep time to recover and replenish

Question 16

What is the evidence that supports the evolutionary theory?

Answer 16

animals with a higher metabolism don’t need to graze as much and can sleep
- animals with lower metabolism need to eat and graze for longer
= need for food