Sleep, Dreaming and Circadian Rhythms

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to sleep, dreaming, and circadian rhythms for review and exam preparation.

Circadian Rhythms

A consistent cycle of body activity and behavior that occurs over about twenty-four hours.

Zeitgebers

External cues such as light and temperature that help synchronize circadian rhythms.

Suprachiasmatic Nuclei (SCN)

An area in the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms by responding to light information from the retina.

Melatonin

A hormone released by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles.

Polysomnography

A method of studying sleep that measures heart rate, breathing, brain waves, eye movements, and muscle activity.

Sleep Stages

Sleep consists of two phases: REM and non-REM sleep, with distinct brain wave patterns during each stage.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling and staying asleep, often associated with anxiety and depression.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep.

Cataplexy

A sudden loss of muscle tone that occurs in conjunction with narcolepsy.

Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis

The theory that dreaming occurs as the brain attempts to make sense of random neural activity.

Glymphatic System

A system in the brain that removes waste and metabolites during sleep.