SECTION ONE

Biological Rhythms and Sleep

Biological rhythms can be classified according to how long the cycle lasts. these cycles occur every 24 hours. E.G. the sleep wake cycle. This happens to us once a day. these cycles happens less than every once a day. E.G. the menstrual cycle. Sabbagh and Barnard (1984) found that when women live together, their menstrual cycles may synchronize. Its not very clear why this happens, but its believed to have something to do with pheromones (chemicals which can affect the behavior or physiology of others. these cycles happen more than once in a 24 hour time period. E.G. Within the sleep cycle, there are several stages of repeated deep sleep and light sleep. Research conducted with EEGs (electroencephalograms) which monitor the brain activity during sleep show that a regular and normal sleep pattern is really important. A loss of regularness, via disruption can have very serious consequences. *Gasp* The timing of biological rhythms is determined by the factors within and outside of our bodies.

Endogenous pacemakers. 1. Some aspects of our biological rhythms are set by genetically determined biological structures and mechanisms within the body. 2. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), part of the hypothalamus, seems to act as an internal clock the keep the body approximately within the 24 hours sleep waking cycle. 3. The SCN is sensitive to light and regulated the pineal gland, which secretes melatonin. (A hormone which appears to induce sleep.) When theres less light, more melatonin is produced, making us sleepy. When there is more light, the secretion is reduced and waking occurs. 4. Menaker et al (1978) used this structure for an experiment on hamsters. their sleep-waking cycle was disrupted! Exogenous zeitgebers.

1. These are influences outside of the body that act like a prompt. They could trigger a biological rhythm. 2. Light is the most important zeitgeber. Siffre (1975) spent 6 months in a cave. He had no clocks and no natural light as zeitgebers. His sleep wake cycle extended from 24 hours to a new 25 30 hour cycle. From this study, one could conclude that natural light is needed to fine-tune out natural 24 hour cycle.

These factors interact with one another to keep the timing of out biological rhythm. 1. In some cases, endogenous factors may completely determine a cycle. Pengelly and Fisher found that squirrels will hibernate even if they are kept in a laboratory this is very different from their natural environment. 2. However, many animals are flexible and can react to their surroundings, especially humans. E.G. we can keep ourselves awake and can change the environment to our needs. (Artificial light.) 3. Cultural Differences need to be taken into account. For example, Eskimos live in permanent daylight or permanent night-time. Regardless, they can maintain their normal sleep/wake cycle.