Why we need sleep?

hand out

to give or distribute something to people.

Example: Fifty-six million prescriptions for sleeping medication were _______ by doctors in America last year.

paralyze

to make unable to move or act.

Example: During REM sleep, the brain is active, but our voluntary muscles are _______.

aptitude test

a test that measures natural ability or skill for a task.

Example: Researchers at Harvard tested undergraduates on various _______, allowed them to nap, then tested them again.

consolidate

to make something stronger, more solid, or unified.

Ex: Such studies suggest that memory _______ may be one function of sleep.

synapse

the junction where one neuron connects to another.

Ex: The sleeping brain seems to delete redundant or unnecessary _______ or connections.

impede

to slow down or block progress.

Ex: Some researchers have found that sleep deprivation _______ wound healing in rats.

look over

to examine or review briefly.

Ex: Then they _______ the data for signs of abnormal sleep.

plunge

a sudden, sharp drop or fall.

Ex: When a person has narcolepsy, they _______ from wakefulness into REM sleep without any intermediate steps.

control infection

to prevent or limit the spread of disease.

Ex: Others have suggested that sleep helps boost the immune system and _______.