Biological Rhythms and Sleep

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What are circadian rhythms?
happens once in a 24 hour period e.g temperature, sleep-wake cycle
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What are infradian rhythms?
happens less frequently (once a month, once a year) e.g. the menstrual cycle or SAD
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What are ultradian rhythms?
happens more than once in a 24 hour period e.g. the cycles of the stages of sleep
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Describe the circadian rhythm of temperature
Body's temp, lowest at 4:30am, highest around 6:00pm. Slight decline in temp after lunch, even if not eaten.
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Describe Siffre's and Aschoff & Wever's studies into circadian rhythms
Siffre - 6 months in underground cave. no natural light. natural CR was just over 24 hrs, sometimes rose to 48. A&W: 42 p's - underground bunker. no natural light or time cues. Most 24 hr rhythms, some 29
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What is the main conclusion from the two studies about circadian rhythms?
That we naturally have a 24 hour rhythm in our body, concluding that it is a biologically innate circadian rhythm
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What are the terms for internal and external factors?
Internal = endogenous pacemakers. External = exogenous zeitgebers
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What are the two main endogenous pacemakers?
The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) and the pineal gland
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Describe how the two EP's regulate CR's
SCN detects changes in light levels, sends signal to pineal gland, produces melatonin (hormone and neurotransmitter thought to regulate our sleep pattern)
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Describe Morgan's research for EP's
'mutant' hamsters who had been manipulated to have 20 hr CR. These SCN's transplanted into normal hamsters. Their CR changed from 24 hours to 20. Supports the idea that the SCN plays a key roll in controlling CR's
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Describe Folkard's research for EP's
Study on Kate Aldcroft. Lived in a cave for several weeks. Played music everytime she thought it was the same time, twice a day.
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Card 2

Front

What are infradian rhythms?

Back

happens less frequently (once a month, once a year) e.g. the menstrual cycle or SAD

Card 3

Front

What are ultradian rhythms?

Back

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Card 4

Front

Describe the circadian rhythm of temperature

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Describe Siffre's and Aschoff & Wever's studies into circadian rhythms

Back

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