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Biological rhythms, natural cycles of bodily processes regulated by a person’s internal ‘clock’,
Biological rhythms are natural cycles of bodily functions governed by an internal clock, specifically including: • circadian rhythms, which are the sleep-wake cycle repeating every 24 hours • ultradian rhythms, which are cycles occurring multiple times within a 24-hour period.
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CambridgeIGCSEPsychologySleep and dreams
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Biological rhythms, natural cycles of bodily processes regulated by a person’s internal ‘clock’, outcomes11 objectives
- Biological rhythms are natural cycles of bodily functions governed by an internal clock, specifically including: • circadian rhythms, which are the sleep-wake cycle repeating every 24 hours • ultradian rhythms, which are cycles occurring multiple times within a 24-hour period.
- Different types of sleep within the sleep cycle, focusing on their duration and features such as brain activity, muscle tension, eye movements, and dreams, including: • rapid eye movement (REM) sleep • non-rapid eye movement (nREM) sleep. Knowledge of specific stages of sleep is not required.
- The nature of dreams, which encompass thoughts, feelings, images, and narratives experienced during sleep.
- Methods for assessing sleep characteristics, including: • EEG (electroencephalography) • EMG (electromyography) • EOG (electrooculography) • dream reporting.
- The influence of external factors, known as exogenous cues (zeitgebers), on biological rhythms in the sleep-wake cycle, such as light and social interactions.
- Hormones are chemical substances produced by glands and released into the bloodstream, which modify the activity of specific target cells.
- The function of internal mechanisms, known as endogenous pacemakers, that control biological rhythms in the sleep-wake cycle, including the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus), the pineal gland, and the hormone melatonin.
- The impact of biological rhythms on conditions such as jetlag and shift work, including their negative effects and symptoms like fatigue: • jetlag, which involves psychological and physical effects from rapid travel across time zones • shift work, which refers to work schedules that vary between day and night, often outside standard hours.
- The features of sleep disorders, specifically: • insomnia • sleep paralysis • sleepwalking.
- The relationship between biological rhythms and sleep disorders, focusing on: • insomnia • sleep paralysis • sleepwalking.
- Applying knowledge of the biological processes involved in sleep and waking to new situations.
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- Paper 1 structured question: Biological rhythms, natural cycles of bodily processes regulated by a person’s internal ‘clock’,
- Paper 1 structured question: Biological rhythms, natural cycles of bodily processes regulated by a person’s internal ‘clock’,
- What is the primary function of biological rhythms?
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