When a person is shut off from the world,such that he or she cannot even tell what time it is by light or dark for several days,this person's sleep-waking cycle will
A) stay exactly as it was since this cycle is innate and cannot be modified.
B) shorten to an average of about 20 hours.
C) lengthen to almost 25 hours.
D) become completely disrupted.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sleep-wake cycle may become disrupted when a person is isolated from external cues like light and darkness, which are critical for regulating the biological clock. In such cases, the internal 24-hour rhythm may become free-running, leading to a lengthening of the cycle to almost 25 hours. This phenomenon is known as circadian rhythm desynchronization, and it can affect various physiological functions, including sleep patterns. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it reflects the typical response to prolonged isolation from external time cues.

When a Person Is Shut Off from the World,such That