Biological Bases of Behavior: Sleep Cycles and Disorders

Consciousness

Our awareness of ourselves & our environment.

Circadian rhythm

The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hr cycle.

Jetlag

A period of discomfort + inefficiency while your internal clock is out of phase with your new surroundings.

Shift Work

Working during non-regular hours, such as nights, instead of normal daytime shift.

NREM Stage 1

Relaxation begins; EEG shows alpha waves; arousal is easy.

Hypnogogic Sensation

Dreamlike feelings, images, or sensations that happen as you are just starting to fall asleep.

NREM Stage 2

Irregular EEG with Sleep Spindles (short high amplitude bursts); arousal is more difficult.

NREM Stage 3

Sleep deepens; theta & delta waves appear; Vital Signs decline.

REM sleep

A stage of Sleep characterized by rapid eye movements + a high level of brain activity.

REM rebound

Increased amounts of REM sleep after being deprived of REM sleep on earlier nights.

Activation-Synthesis (dreams)

A theory that says dreams are the brain's way of making sense of random electrical activity that happens during sleep by synthesizing the activity with stored memories.

Consolidation theory dreams

Sleep aids in the consolidation of formation of memories + learning.

Memory Consolidation

The gradual, physical process of converting new long-term memories to stable, enduring memory codes.

Restoration of resources

Evolutionary theory of Sleep holds that Sleep is essential for restoration of resources that are expended during the demands of day-to-day life.

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

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

REM sleep behavior disorder

A neurological disorder in which the person does not become paralyzed during REM sleep & thus acts out dreams.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary 'stoppings' of breathing during sleep + repeated momentary awakeness.

Somnambulism

Sleep walking.