Ultradian biological Rhythms Flashcards
Give an example of an Ultradian Rhythm
Sleep: consisting of different stages we pass through more than one cycle per night
Sleep is an altered state of consciousness which is broken into five stages of…?
NREM (non-rapid eye movement)
REM ( rapid eye movement)
The sleep cycle usually repeats itself about…?
5 times during the night
What happens once NREM stages have been reached?
The cycle goes into reverse through to REM sleep
How long does one cycle last?
Approximately 90 mins.
When is NREM sleep and how many stages is it?
When we first fall asleep
stages through 1-4
What waves are displayed on the EEG in stage 1?
Theta
What waves are shown after 15ish minutes in Stage 2
Slower delta waves indicating stage 3, followed by four
What are stages 3 and 4 also known as?
Slow wave sleep, similar characteristics
What are at their lowest points in stage 4?
Blood pressure and heart rate that have been gradually slowing
What is most likely to occur in this stage because movement is still possible?
Sleepwalking
After the reversal of stages about 75 mins into sleep we enter the…?
REM stage of sleep
EEG activities change to similar when awake, what are these waves called?
Fast Alpha Waves
We become paraylsed because?
voluntary muscle activity is suppressed
What fluctuates and what twitches?
Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.
Muscles
What is most likely to occur in this stage?
Dreaming
Later cycles include what?
More stage 2 and REM
Less SWS
Dement and Kleiltmen supporting evidence?
9 ppts monitored in sleep lab recording brain wave activity and self reported dream recollections (woken up at different stages)
Dreaming REM sleep and brain activity = how vivid dream is
Direction of eye movement = content of dream in REM sleep
How is sleep an example of an Ultradian Ryhthm?
consists of 5 separate and distinct stages, categorised by different brainwave activity
What practical applications does research on ultradian rhythms have?
EEg recordings revealed similar 90 min cycle during wake hrs
Basic Rest Activity Cycle: period of alertness followed by physiological fatigue
What impact could this have on students work habits?
Used in timetabeling, lessons taking place during ‘optimal alertness’, improving exam success
What impact could this have on employees work habits?
ensure sufficient breaks are given = ensuring maximum productivity
How does research into infradian rhythms impact the economy?
Positive implication.
