AP psych. Sleep unit

Consciousness

Our awarness of oursleves and our environment

Circadian rhythym

An internal biological clock

REM sleep

A recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur (aka paradoxical sleep

Alpha waves

The relatively show brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

Sleep

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness

Delta waves

The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

NREM sleep

Non rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

(SCN)

A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm.

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Sleep apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

Night terrors

A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and appearance for being terrified; unlike nightmares; night terrors occur in NREM-3 sleep within 2-3 hrs of sleep and seldom remenered

Dream

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping persons mind

REM rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation