Unit 2, Part 2 Flashcards
sleep
a periodic natural loss of consciousness
circadian rhythm
the body’s 24-hour internal clock, that is when a person naturally falls asleep and feels awake.
stages of sleep
Nrem1, Nrem2, Nrem3, back to rem and repeat the process spending more time in REM and less time in Nrem3 as you approach morning
alpha waves (waking)
relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed awake state before you fall asleep
beta waves (waking)
state of alertness and mental activity
NREM-1
the first sleep stage you enter when falling asleep
NREM-2
the second stage after falling asleep
NREM-3 (delta waves)
deep slow brain waves, environmental noise may not wake a person
REM sleep
rapid eye movement sleep, a reoccurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. also known as paradoxical sleep because muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active.
hallucinations
false sensory experiences such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus
hypnagogic sensations
bizarre experiences such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly while transitioning to sleep
Delta waves
the large slow brain waves associated with deep sleep of NREM-3
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm; in response to light the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness
melatonin
a hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness, causes you to be sleepy
functions of sleep - protection
protection from darkness and predators during the night
functions of sleep - recuperation
the body having time to physically repair while its not consciously active
functions of sleep - restoration & rebuilding
clears the mind of toxins, and increases the space between brain cells to flush out toxins that build up during waking hours.
functions of sleep - creativity
facilitate insightful behavior and flexible reasoning, you wake up with a refreshed mind
functions of sleep - supporting growth
the pituitary glad releases growth hormones during sleep
insomnia
reoccurring problems in falling or staying asleep
narcolepsy
a sleep disorder causing uncontrollable sleep attacks