FYS 120: Science of Sleep — Exam 1 Study Guide

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering academic transition skills and fundamental sleep science content for Exam 1.

Academic Advisor

An assigned faculty or professional academic advisor who assists with planning course schedules, explaining degree requirements, guiding course selection, connecting students with campus resources, and tracking graduation progress.

Four Elements of an AI Prompt

The four elements to include when creating an AI prompt: Role (the role AI assumes), Task (what you want it to do), Context (relevant background information), and Format (how the response should be organized).

Academic Catalog

An official resource that provides comprehensive information about degree requirements, available courses, academic policies, and graduation requirements.

Bachelor's Degree Credit Requirement

Typically requires $120$ credits to graduate, though exact requirements vary by institution and program.

Upper-Division Credit

A credit earned in an advanced undergraduate course, typically numbered $300$ or $400$.

CRAAP Test

An evaluation method for research materials: Currency (how recent), Relevance (how it relates to the topic), Authority (author qualifications), Accuracy (evidence support), and Purpose (reason for publication and potential bias).

Boolean Operators

Search operators used to refine results: AND (narrows search by requiring both terms), OR (broadens search by including either term), and NOT (excludes a specific term).

Segmented Sleep

A historical sleep pattern common during the Middle Ages and Renaissance Era where people slept in two distinct periods (first and second sleep) separated by a period of nighttime wakefulness.

Industrial Revolution Sleep Impact

Historical shift where artificial lighting extended waking hours, factory work introduced rigid schedules, and urbanization led to shorter and more structured sleep schedules.

Nathaniel Kleitman

Pioneered modern sleep research and helped establish the study of sleep cycles.

Eugene Aserinsky

Discovered REM sleep.

William Dement

Advanced sleep research and helped establish sleep medicine as a clinical discipline.

Hans Berger

Developed electroencephalography (EEG), which made it possible to record and measure electrical brain activity.

Monophasic Sleep Schedule

A sleep pattern consisting of one primary sleep period per day, typical of modern society.

Hertz (Hz)

The unit of measurement used to quantify brain frequency, representing cycles per second.

Brainwave Frequency Dynamics

Higher frequency (more cycles per second) is generally associated with lower amplitude and more alert activity, whereas lower frequency (fewer cycles per second) is associated with slower activity and deeper sleep.

NREM Stage 1 (N1)

The lightest stage of sleep representing the transition from wakefulness to sleep, characterized by Theta brainwaves.

NREM Stage 2 (N2)

A stage of sleep characterized by a decrease in heart rate and body temperature, Theta brainwaves, sleep spindles, and K-complexes; supports memory processing and sleep maintenance.

NREM Stage 3 (N3)

Deep sleep stage with slow-wave activity characterized by Delta brainwaves, from which it is difficult to awaken; supports physical restoration, tissue repair, and immune function.

REM Sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, temporary muscle paralysis, and Beta-like, low-amplitude, mixed-frequency brainwaves; supports emotional processing, learning, and memory.

Sleep Cycle Duration

An individual sleep cycle lasts approximately $90\,\text{minutes}$, with a typical night's sleep consisting of $4$ to $6$ cycles.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that regulates sleep and wakefulness, including circadian rhythms.

Brainstem

A region of the brain that helps regulate sleep stages and muscle activity.

Thalamus

A region of the brain that relays sensory information and helps regulate sleep-related brain activity.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity and promotes sleep.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that promotes wakefulness and REM sleep.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that promotes alertness and wakefulness, and decreases during REM sleep.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and wakefulness and contributes to sleep-related processes.

Sleep Stages and Brainwaves Summary Table

A table mapping sleep stages to brainwaves: N1 with Theta, N2 with Theta, sleep spindles, and K-complexes, N3 with Delta, and REM with Beta-like, low-amplitude, mixed-frequency activity.

Sleep Neurotransmitters Summary Table

A summary table listing neurotransmitters and their roles in the sleep-wake cycle, including GABA, Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin.