Some researchers have suggested that our 24-hour sleep/wake cycle may partially be a response to a world where the sun rises and sets on a 24-hour cycle. Imagine that the earth is gradually slowing down, and in 10,000 years the sun rises and sets on a 26-hour cycle instead. Which of the following would be similar to the sleep patterns of humans in that future world?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the sun rises and sets on a 26-hour cycle, humans would likely gradually shift their sleep/wake cycles to match this new pattern, ultimately falling asleep once every 26 hours in order to remain synchronized with the natural world. Option A, an even shorter sleep/wake cycle, would not make sense in this scenario as humans would not be able to stay synchronized with the earth's rotation. Option B, continuing to fall asleep once every 24 hours, would result in humans being out of sync with the natural light-dark cycle, which would be disadvantageous. Option D, no consistent wake-sleep cycle, is implausible as it would be highly disruptive to human functioning and survival.

Some Researchers Have Suggested That Our 24-Hour Sleep/wake Cycle May