PSYB64H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, Circadian Rhythm, Retinal Ganglion Cell
Document Summary
Sleep and waking cycles follow circadian rhythms: repeating cycle of about 24 hrs. In order to maintain rhythms, internal biological clocks interact w/ zeitgeber: external cue for setting biological rhythms. Light most important absence of light=free-running circadian rhythms: rhythm that isn"t synchronized to environmental time cues (lasts approx. Exposure to sunlight helps entrain entrainment: resetting of internal biological closk to 24hr cycle of earth"s rotation. Variations in sleep patterns individual sleep patterns = diffierent versions of genes responsible for internal clocks. Larks = most alert and productive in morning; night owls = night people; most lie between two extremes. Nearly everyone acts like owls during adolescence. Melatonin (neurochemicals involved in regulation of sleep patterns) drops dramatically at onset of puberty = age related changes in sleep habits. Fllowing adolescence many temporary adults revert to previous state (probably due to maturation o neural systems that regulate sleep)
