Biological Psychology: Wakefulness and Sleep

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to biological psychology and the concepts of sleep and wakefulness.

Endogenous Rhythms

Internal mechanisms that regulate biological cycles, such as circadian rhythms operating on a 24-hour cycle.

Circadian Rhythm

Biological processes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, affecting sleep-wake patterns, hormone secretion, and body temperature.

Zeitgeber

A stimulus that helps to reset the biological clock, such as light, exercise, or meal timings.

Jet Lag

Disruption of circadian rhythms due to crossing time zones, causing mismatched internal and external clocks.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to daytime sleepiness and cognitive impairment.

Orexin

A neuropeptide released by the hypothalamus that is important for maintaining wakefulness.

Sleep Spindles

Bursts of brain activity observed in stage 2 sleep, associated with memory consolidation.

Melatonin

A hormone released by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles and is influenced by light.

Coma

A state of extended unconsciousness characterized by low brain activity and unresponsiveness to stimuli.

REM Sleep

A sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movement, increased brain activity, and vivid dreams.