Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

These flashcards cover key concepts related to sleep, circadian rhythms, and sleep disorders, based on the lecture notes.

Circadian Rhythm

A natural internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other physiological processes, repeating roughly every 24 hours.

REM Sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement, increased brain activity, and dreaming; essential for learning and memory.

Deep Sleep

Also known as stage three sleep, it is the most restorative phase of sleep, crucial for physical health and recovery.

Sleep Paralysis

A state during sleep in which a person is aware of their surroundings but unable to move or speak, often occurring during transitions between sleep and wakefulness.

Unihemispheric Sleep

A type of sleep where one hemisphere of the brain remains awake while the other is asleep, observed in certain animal species like dolphins.

Sleepwalking

A sleep disorder that occurs during deep sleep, where an individual engages in activities while still technically asleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep due to blockages in the airways.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles; its levels rise at night and fall during the day.

EEG (Electroencephalography)

A method used to record electrical activity of the brain, important for identifying different sleep stages.

Activation Synthesis Theory

A theory that suggests dreams are the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity occurring during REM sleep.