Biological rhythms

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  • Created by: Molly
  • Created on: 26-11-12 13:31
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  • Biological Rythms
    • biological rhythms are controlled by environmental factors such as light, temperature.
      • called Zeitgebers
    • endogenous pacemakers
      • internal body clocks that regulate biological rhythms.
        • SIFFRE (1975) stayed in cave for 6 months. in the absence of environmental zeitgebers such as light our endogenous pacemakers can still regulate
      • two key brain structures in the control of biological rhythms are in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the pineal gland
        • the  SCN is a small group of neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain, has an inbuilt endogenous circadian rhythm
          • STEPHAN AND ZUCKER (1972)- the rats- the scn is one of the key pacemakers in the brain controlling circadian rhythms.
  • types
    • circadian rythms: refers to 24 hour rhythms such as body temperature in humans and sleep wake cycle.
      • include: sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, also brain neurotransmitters  show circadian rhythms.
      • nocturnal animals are active and alert at night, diurnal animals reverse the pattern.
    • Biological Rythms
      • biological rhythms are controlled by environmental factors such as light, temperature.
        • called Zeitgebers
      • endogenous pacemakers
        • internal body clocks that regulate biological rhythms.
          • SIFFRE (1975) stayed in cave for 6 months. in the absence of environmental zeitgebers such as light our endogenous pacemakers can still regulate
        • two key brain structures in the control of biological rhythms are in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the pineal gland
          • the  SCN is a small group of neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain, has an inbuilt endogenous circadian rhythm
            • STEPHAN AND ZUCKER (1972)- the rats- the scn is one of the key pacemakers in the brain controlling circadian rhythms.
    • infradian rhythms: have a cycle length of more than one day. e.g menstrual cycle.
      • e.g menstrual cycle and hibernation
      • seasonal affective disorder (SAD) depression that effects vulnerable people in winter months.
    • ultradian rhythm: these have more than one cycle in 24 hours.
      • human sleep pattern: 5 stages of sleep , takes 90 mins

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