Question 1

You have been asleep for approximately 90 minutes.What sleep stage are you likely to begin to enter?

Accepted Answer

After approximately 90 minutes of sleep, you are likely to enter REM sleep, also known as paradoxical sleep.

Question 2

What brain regions have been linked to narcolepsy?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is the region of the brain that has been strongly linked to narcolepsy. Specifically, the loss of hypocretin-producing neurons in the hypothalamus is a hallmark of narcolepsy. This loss is thought to contribute to the sleep fragmentation and excessive daytime sleepiness experienced by individuals with narcolepsy.

Question 3

REM sleep is paradoxical because:

Accepted Answer

REM sleep is paradoxical because although the brain is very active and individuals often experience vivid dreams, the major skeletal muscles of the body are paralyzed, which prevents individuals from physically acting out their dreams. This is also known as atonia. Option B is incorrect because during REM sleep, the majority of skeletal muscles are paralyzed. Option C is incorrect because brain activity is actually higher during REM sleep compared to other sleep stages. Option D is incorrect because while dreams occur more frequently during REM sleep, this is not what makes it paradoxical.

Question 4

Why is REM sleep called paradoxical sleep?

Accepted Answer

REM sleep is called paradoxical sleep because the person's body is in a state of deep relaxation and appears to be asleep, but the person's brain is highly active and may even be more active than during wakefulness. This contrast between the two states (relaxed body and active brain) is what makes it paradoxical.

Question 5

According to your text,how do successive REM periods change as the night progresses?

Accepted Answer

As the night progresses, successive REM periods typically become longer, allowing for more extended periods of dreaming.

Question 6

At what sleep stage does your breathing become more regular and your awareness of external stimulation decrease?

Accepted Answer

In stage 2 sleep, breathing becomes more regular and there is a decrease in the awareness of external stimuli. Stage 2 sleep is also characterized by the presence of sleep spindles and K-complexes. REM (A) is associated with rapid eye movements and dreams, stage 4 (B) is the deepest stage of non-REM sleep, and stage 3 (C) is a transition between stage 2 and stage 4.

Question 7

Occasionally,Jon will fall asleep while working with a customer.Jon is experiencing which sleep disorder?

Accepted Answer

Jon is experiencing narcolepsy, as it is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. Sleep apnea and insomnia do not typically involve sudden sleep attacks.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT involved in regulating sleep/wake cycles?

Accepted Answer

The frontal cortex is not directly involved in regulating sleep/wake cycles. Instead, it is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as decision making, problem-solving, and planning. The other answer choices (pineal gland, reticular formation, and melatonin) are all involved in regulating sleep/wake cycles. The pineal gland secretes melatonin, which helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycle. The reticular formation, located in the brainstem, plays a key role in maintaining an appropriate level of arousal. Melatonin itself is a hormone that helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycle, with levels peaking at night and dropping during the day.

Question 9

A person whose EEG shows predominantly theta waves is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Predominantly theta waves are seen in stage 1 sleep, which is characterized by drowsiness and light sleep. Therefore, the person is most likely in stage 1 sleep.

Question 10

Why are humans typically able to remain in the bed during sleep?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are humans typically able to remain...

Question 11

It has gotten dark,and soon the whole family is feeling tired.This shared experience occurs because everyone has:

Accepted Answer

Melatonin production is regulated by the body's internal clock, which is responsible for the sleep-wake cycle. As the day progresses and it gets darker outside, the body naturally starts to produce more melatonin, which makes us feel sleepy. This is why the whole family is feeling tired as it has gotten dark.

Question 12

Fast,short desynchronized brain waves are an indication of:

Accepted Answer

Fast, short desynchronized brain waves are typically associated with alertness and active mental states, as seen in EEG patterns during wakefulness.

Question 13

REM sleep is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

REM sleep is characterized by increased brain activity, body paralysis, and dreaming. During REM sleep, the brain becomes very active, but the muscles of the body are paralyzed, which is thought to be a protective mechanism to prevent acting out dreams. Dreaming is a hallmark of REM sleep and is thought to be related to the increased brain activity during this stage of sleep.

Question 14

REM sleep is sometimes called "active sleep" for all the following reasons EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The activity of skeletal muscles actually decreases during REM sleep, which is why it is also called "paradoxical sleep."

Question 15

As you get older,you have fewer (less)_____ during sleep,suggesting that your brain actively has to work to keep you sleeping.

Accepted Answer

Sleep spindles refer to bursts of brain activity that occur during Stage 2 sleep, and are linked with memory consolidation and cognitive processes. As we age, the frequency and intensity of sleep spindles decrease, indicating that the brain has to work harder to maintain sleep.

Question 16

A person can be easily awakened in this stage of sleep:

Accepted Answer

Stage 1 is the lightest stage of sleep, where a person may still be somewhat aware of their surroundings and can be easily awakened. Stage 2 is a slightly deeper stage of sleep, while stage 3 is considered deep sleep and it is more difficult to wake a person during this stage. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the stage where most dreaming occurs and it is also difficult to awaken a person during this stage.

Question 17

If you were relaxed with your eyes closed and were given an EEG,what type of brain waves would show up on your EEG?

Accepted Answer

When an individual is relaxed with their eyes closed, alpha waves are the predominant brain waves. These waves have a frequency between 8-13 Hz and are associated with a relaxed and meditative state. Beta waves (A) are associated with arousal and cognitive processing, theta waves (C) are associated with drowsiness and light sleep, and sleep spindles (D) are characteristic of stage 2 sleep.

Question 18

Sleep spindles are indicative of which stage of sleep?

Accepted Answer

Sleep spindles are bursts of brain activity that occur during stage 2 sleep.

Question 19

You and your friends are having a sleepover.One of the friends falls asleep and is snoring.The rest of you are talking loudly without waking her,but when you begin to make cookies,the smell jolts her from sleep immediately.How can this be?

Accepted Answer

Our brains have a limited capacity for attention and can only focus on a few stimuli at once. The brain can block out most stimuli, but a strong and pleasant smell, such as cookies baking, is worth attending to and can wake someone up.

Question 20

Which sleep disorder is characterized by the inability to sleep?

Accepted Answer

Insomnia is characterized by the inability to sleep or difficulty falling and staying asleep.

Quiz 5: Consciousness