Lecture Consciousness Part 1

Consciousness

Awareness of internal and external stimuli, such as heat, sound, hunger, and emotions.

Continuum of Consciousness

A range of states from highly alert (wakefulness) to minimally conscious states (coma).

Biological Rhythms

Internal rhythms of biological activity, including infradian, ultradian, and circadian rhythms.

Circadian Rhythm

24-hour biological cycles, such as the sleep-wake cycle regulated by the brain's SCN.

REM Sleep

A sleep phase characterized by rapid eye movements and brain waves similar to wakefulness.

Sleep Spindles

Rapid bursts of brain activity during sleep, indicating learning and memory processes.

Importance of Sleep

Essential for memory consolidation, cognitive functions, and overall health.

Sleep Deprivation Effects

Negatively impacts academic performance and cognitive functions, with lasting effects on health.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

A theory suggesting that dreams arise from brain impulses during sleep.

Insomnia

Difficulty in falling or staying asleep, potentially treated with lifestyle changes and therapy.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruptions during sleep, commonly treated with CPAP machines.

Narcolepsy

A neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

Menstrual Cycle

A biological process involving multiple phases influenced by hormones like FSH, E2, LH, and PG.

Sleep Debt

The cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep, impacting physical and psychological health.

Consequences of Insufficient Sleep

Includes irritability, cognitive impairments, increased risk of health issues like obesity and diabetes.

Common Sleep Disorders

Conditions affecting sleep, including insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.

Youth Sleep Issues

Insufficient sleep in adolescents is a public health concern, influenced by early school start times.