Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to sleep and circadian rhythms from the lecture notes.

Circadian Rhythms

Patterns of cyclical body activities lasting about 24 hours.

Dyssomnia

A category of sleep problems characterized by a direct problem with the sleep process itself.

Parasomnia

Category of disorders that involve unwanted events or experiences during transitions from wakefulness to sleep.

Hypersomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day.

Insomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

REM Sleep

A period of brain arousal during which most dreaming occurs, often associated with paralysis.

Superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

A small region of the hypothalamus that contains the internal circadian clock and regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.

Jet Lag

A temporary sleep disorder that occurs when a person's internal body clock is out of sync with their new time zone.