Question 1

_________ is an involuntary complex response that occurs outside of conscious awareness.

Accepted Answer

An automatism is an involuntary complex response that occurs outside of conscious awareness, often seen in actions performed without conscious thought.

Question 2

________ include behaviors such as talking, walking, and eating during sleep.

Accepted Answer

Parasomnias are a category of sleep disorders that involve abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, between sleep stages, or during arousal from sleep. Talking, walking, and eating during sleep are classic examples of parasomnias.

Question 3

Sleep is a __________ state of the brain.

Accepted Answer

Sleep is an active state of the brain, characterized by complex brain activity. During sleep, the brain goes through various stages, including REM and non-REM sleep, each with distinct patterns of brain waves and neuronal activity.

Question 4

________ occurs when one's eyes move back and forth during sleep and their brain wave activity appears like that of the waking state.

Accepted Answer

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is characterized by the eyes moving back and forth rapidly under the eyelids, and brain wave activity that closely resembles that of being awake. This stage of sleep is also when most dreaming occurs.

Question 5

________ are responses, such as the timing of our sleep and wake cycles, with distinct daily rhythms.

Accepted Answer

Circadian rhythms are natural, internal processes that regulate the sleep-wake cycle and repeat roughly every 24 hours.

Question 6

________ are environmental triggers which set circadian rhythms.

Accepted Answer

Zeitgebers are environmental cues, like light and temperature, that help to regulate the body's internal clock or circadian rhythms.

Question 7

________ are daily cycles are regulated by internal mechanisms.

Accepted Answer

Free-running rhythms are daily cycles regulated by internal mechanisms, independent of external cues.

Question 8

The ________ receives stimulation from light via tracts extending from the retina.

Accepted Answer

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) receives direct input from the retina via the retinohypothalamic tract, allowing it to regulate circadian rhythms in response to light.

Question 9

Neural messages from the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are related solely to the ________ of light in the environment.

Accepted Answer

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is primarily involved in the detection of light in the environment, which it uses to regulate the body's circadian rhythms.

Question 10

When the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is disrupted, physiological systems are __________________.

Accepted Answer

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) acts as the primary circadian pacemaker in the brain, coordinating daily rhythms in physiology and behavior. When the SCN is disrupted, these rhythms become desynchronized, leading to a disruption in the normal physiological and behavioral patterns.

Question 11

_________________ are physiological rhythms with a period shorter than 24 hours.

Accepted Answer

Ultradian rhythms are physiological rhythms that have a cycle shorter than 24 hours, which distinguishes them from circadian rhythms that typically cycle once every 24 hours.

Question 12

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) ________ physiological rhythms with a period shorter than 24 hours.

Accepted Answer

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is primarily known for controlling circadian rhythms, which are approximately 24-hour cycles, rather than ultradian rhythms, which have periods shorter than 24 hours.

Question 13

The hormone, _________, secreted by the pineal gland, acts as an internal zeitgeber.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland and plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, acting as an internal zeitgeber (time-giver) by signaling the body about the day-night cycle.

Question 14

___________ appears to be a chemical trigger signaling increased blood flow in distal areas of the body, promoting heat loss and the onset of sleep.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is known to regulate sleep-wake cycles and body temperature, signaling the body to prepare for sleep, which includes mechanisms for heat loss.

Question 15

___________ is considered a sleep facilitator and has been investigated as a potential treatment for insomnia.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles and is considered a sleep facilitator. It has been widely investigated and used as a potential treatment for insomnia due to its role in signaling the body to prepare for sleep.

Question 16

Research has indicated that _______ can be used to induce phase shifts, or realignment, in circadian clocks.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness. It has been shown to play a role in regulating the circadian clock, and can be used to induce phase shifts, or realignment, in circadian clocks.

Question 17

The desynchronization of circadian rhythms resulting in difficulty going to sleep, early wakening, changes in appetite, changes in gastrointestinal functions, and daytime tiredness is termed _______.

Accepted Answer

Jet lag is the correct answer because it specifically refers to the desynchronization of circadian rhythms due to rapid long-distance transmeridian travel, leading to the symptoms described.

Question 18

Accidents are more likely for night shift workers when ____________.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin levels are high during the night, promoting sleepiness, which can increase the likelihood of accidents for night shift workers.

Question 19

Some individuals report successfully realigning their biological rhythms by using ____________.

Accepted Answer

Light therapy is used to adjust circadian rhythms by exposing individuals to bright light at specific times, helping to reset their internal clocks.

Question 20

A behavioral response seen across species that may indicate shifts in arousal is __________.

Accepted Answer

Yawning is a behavioral response observed across various species, often associated with changes in arousal levels, such as transitioning between wakefulness and sleep or as a response to boredom or fatigue.

Quiz 9: Sleep, Wakefulness, and Conscious Awareness