You are watching sleep researchers monitor the sleep of a normal adult. The participant is hooked up to an EEG. What brain waves would you observe as the person becomes drowsy and then
Enters the first stage of sleep?
A) alpha eventually replaced by delta
B) delta eventually replaced by theta
C) alpha eventually replaced by theta
D) delta eventually replaced by beta

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As the person becomes drowsy, their alpha brain waves (which are typically seen when a person is awake and relaxed) will gradually decrease in frequency and amplitude. Eventually, they will be replaced by slower and more irregular theta waves, which are characteristic of the first stage of non-REM sleep. Delta waves, which are even slower and more synchronized than theta waves, are typically not seen until later stages of sleep. Beta waves, on the other hand, are typically seen when a person is awake and alert, so they would not be observed as the person becomes drowsy and enters sleep.

You Are Watching Sleep Researchers Monitor the Sleep of a Normal