Behavioral Neuroscience - Test 3❤️

What are the 5 stages of sleep and their EEG waves? 

1. Stage 1 (NREM): Light sleep, theta waves. 

2. Stage 2 (NREM): Sleep spindles & K-complexes. 

3. Stage 3 (NREM): Transition to deep sleep, delta waves appear. 

4. Stage 4 (NREM): Deep sleep, mostly delta waves. 

5. REM sleep: Beta-like waves, rapid eye movement, vivid dreaming

How does NREM dreaming differ from REM dreaming? 

: NREM dreams are less vivid, more thought-like; REM dreams are more vivid, emotional, and story-like. 

How do NREM and REM contribute to recovery? 

• NREM: Restores the body, growth hormone release, tissue repair. 

• REM: Restores the mind, consolidates memories and learning. 

What is the activation-synthesis theory of dreaming?

The activation-synthesis theory suggests that dreams are the brain's attempt to make sense of random electrical activity during REM sleep, resulting in a narrative that may not be logical or coherent.

What is narcolepsy? 

A disorder causing sudden REM sleep attacks and loss of muscle tone (cataplexy) during wakefulness; linked to hypocretin/orexin deficiency. 

What is insomnia? 

Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep. 

What is sleep apnea, and what is CPAP? 

• Sleep apnea: Breathing stops repeatedly during sleep. 

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): Device that keeps airways open. 

 

What is REM behavior disorder? 

Acting out dreams due to failure of muscle paralysis during REM. 

What is REM rebound? 

Increased REM sleep following sleep deprivation, resulting in more vivid dreams.

What is somnambulism? 

A sleep disorder characterized by walking or performing other complex behaviors while in a state of sleep. : Sleepwalking—occurs during deep NREM (stages 3–4). 

What are night terrors? 

Sudden fear reactions during deep NREM sleep; person often doesn’t remember the episode. 

Which brain structures are active during sleep and dreaming?

The brain structures active during sleep and dreaming include the pons, thalamus, and parts of the cerebral cortex, which are involved in regulating sleep cycles and processing dreams.

Which brain structures are inhibited during REM sleep?

Motor cortex output is inhibited by the pons to prevent movement. 

Motor cortex output is inhibited by the pons to prevent movement. 

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus.

How long is the circadian rhythm? 

About 24 hours. 

What is sleep paralysis? 

Temporary inability to move while falling asleep or waking, caused by persistence of REM atonia into wakefulness. 

What is a zeitgeber? 

A stimulus that helps regulate the body's circadian rhythms, such as light and temperature. An external cue

What is melatonin and what produces it? 

A hormone promoting sleep, secreted by the pineal gland—especially in darkness. 

What is the basal ganglia and its main structures? 

A group of subcortical nuclei controlling movement: caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra. 

What causes Parkinson’s disease? 

Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. L-DOPA, deep brain stimulation, and other dopamine agonists. 

What are the three types of muscle? 

1. Skeletal: Voluntary, moves bones. 

2. Smooth: Involuntary, found in organs. 

3. Cardiac: Heart muscle, involuntary. 

What neurotransmitter controls skeletal muscle contraction? 

Acetylcholine (ACh). 

What are flexors and extensors?

• Flexors: Contract to bend a limb. 

• Extensors: Contract to straighten a limb. 

At what temperature is fever life-threatening? 

: Around 105–107°F (40.5–41.5°C)—can cause protein denaturation and brain damage. 

What is vasopressin

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH); conserves water by reducing urination

What is anorexia? 

An eating disorder involving restriction of food intake and distorted body image. 

What is bulimia? 

Cycles of binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, etc.).

How does the brain regulate hunger? 

• Lateral hypothalamus: Triggers hunger. 

• Ventromedial hypothalamus: Signals satiety. 

• Leptin: Decreases hunger. 

• Ghrelin: Increases hunger. 

What is homeostasis? 

It involves regulatory processes that ensure the body's physiological balance is maintained in response to external changes.

What is allostasis? 

Adaptive changes to maintain stability through change (e.g., stress response). 

What is poikilothermic? 

A term describing organisms whose body temperature depends on the environment, meaning they cannot internally regulate their body heat.

What is homeothermic? 

A term for organisms that maintain a stable internal body temperature regardless of external conditions.

What is basal metabolism

: Energy used to maintain vital body functions at rest. 

What releases insulin? 

The pancreas (specifically the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans). Insulin is released by the pancreas to regulate blood glucose levels.