Psychology Exam 3 Study Guide

Understand the biology of our circadian rhythms.

This is known as the regular bodily rhythm that occurs over a 24 hours period also known as the biological clock. Important to understand that the Sleep-Wake Cycle is regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN) of the hypothalamus, which responds to morning light and triggers the pineal gland to decrease melatonin production. When there is darkness the pineal gland produces melatonin.

EEG(Electroencephalograph)

When electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity in the cortex during sleep. Eye movements and muscle tension is also monitored.

General Sleep Cycle and their Stages

NREM 1-3 and REM, lasts approximately 90 minutes.

NREM vs. REM Sleep Characteristics

NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep is dreamless sleep. During NREM, the brain waves on the EEG recording and typically slow and of high voltage and breathing as well as heart rate are slow and regular. Blood pressure is low and the sleeper is very still.

REM sleep cycles about five times per night and most of our dreams taking place during REM physiological arousal (genitals are aroused, breathing becomes rapid and heart rate rises.

Sleep paralysis can also occur when the pons of the brainstem blocks the motor cortex’s messages to the somatic nervous system. REM is also known as paradoxical sleep because the body’s muscles are immobile but the brain and sympathetic nervous system are active. Prefrontal cortex remains deactivated (blue areas).

Know how sleep cycles change throughout the night.

We spend more time in NREM-3 during the first three hours of sleep. Later on in the night we begin to experience longer episodes of both NREM-2 and REM sleep. NREM-1 and NREM-2 are lighter stages of sleep.

Describe the sleep disorders we discussed in class.

Insomnia Disorder, Hypersomnolence Disorder, Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders, Advanced Sleep State Type

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Non-REM Sleep Arousal Disorders

Sleep Terrors, Sleepwalking, Narcolepsy, Sleep Paralysis Hypnagogic Hallucinations.