Unit 5 Flashcards
Circadian rhythm
An inborn 24-hour biological clock
Consciousness
Our awareness of ourselves and our environment
Stage 1
Very brief
Alpha waves
Awake, but very relaxed
Breathing is slow
Stage 2
About 20 minutes
Sleep spindles
Appear as very rapid, close flickers when graphed by an EEG
K-complex
Distinctly large and lazy flicker on the graph
Stage 3
Transitional stage
Delta waves
Stage 4
About 30 minutes
Deep sleep
More delta waves than stage 3
REM sleep
About 10 minutes Occurs about every 90 minutes Brain is the most active brain waves like being awake Pulse increases Rapid breathing Brain blocks messages to the motor cortex Brings on dreams
Sleep theory
Protects
Safer at night while asleep
Sleep theory
Helps us recuperate
Sleep helps cleanse free radicals from our brains by giving neurons a time to rest
Sleep theory
Makes for memories
Enables our brain to sort things into their proper spots
Sleep theory
Can fuel creativity
Ideas come while asleep or dreaming
Many great ideas come just after a good night’s sleep
Sleep theory
Helps with growth
The pituitary gland secretes a growth hormone while sleeping
Free radicals
Toxins created from brain activity
Insomnia
Persistent inability to sleep or to fall asleep
Narcolepsy
When the person simply falls asleep suddenly