The sleep pattern of the dolphin is unique in that
A) slow-wave sleep is absent from its sleep pattern.
B) sleep and waking occur independently in the two hemispheres.
C) no eye movements occur in the dolphin during sleep.
D) blindness has eliminated the need of the dolphin for sleep.
E) this animal does not exhibit slow-wave sleep.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dolphins have a unique sleep pattern where they sleep with one hemisphere of their brain while the other remains awake and vigilant, a phenomenon called unihemispheric sleep. This allows them to rest while still being aware of their surroundings and able to swim to the surface to breathe. Slow-wave sleep is present in both hemispheres, but it occurs at different times. Eye movements have been observed in dolphins during REM sleep, which occurs more frequently in the hemisphere that is asleep.

The Sleep Pattern of the Dolphin Is Unique in That