Consciousness, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythms (6B) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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What is the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness?
What is the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness?
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Conscious: aware; unconscious: lacks awareness of self and surroundings. Consciousness requires awareness; unconsciousness lacks it entirely.
Conscious: aware; unconscious: lacks awareness of self and surroundings. Consciousness requires awareness; unconsciousness lacks it entirely.
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What is the main environmental cue (zeitgeber) that entrains circadian rhythms?
What is the main environmental cue (zeitgeber) that entrains circadian rhythms?
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Light (especially morning light). Light exposure resets the biological clock daily.
Light (especially morning light). Light exposure resets the biological clock daily.
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What is REM sleep most strongly associated with?
What is REM sleep most strongly associated with?
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Vivid dreaming and rapid eye movements. Eyes move rapidly while most vivid dreams occur.
Vivid dreaming and rapid eye movements. Eyes move rapidly while most vivid dreams occur.
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Which sleep stage is characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes on EEG?
Which sleep stage is characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes on EEG?
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NREM Stage 2 (N2). These EEG patterns distinguish N2 from other stages.
NREM Stage 2 (N2). These EEG patterns distinguish N2 from other stages.
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What neurotransmitter is classically associated with wakefulness and arousal?
What neurotransmitter is classically associated with wakefulness and arousal?
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Norepinephrine (notably from the locus coeruleus). Locus coeruleus releases NE to maintain alertness.
Norepinephrine (notably from the locus coeruleus). Locus coeruleus releases NE to maintain alertness.
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Which hormone increases in darkness to promote sleepiness?
Which hormone increases in darkness to promote sleepiness?
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Melatonin (from the pineal gland). Darkness triggers pineal gland to release this sleep hormone.
Melatonin (from the pineal gland). Darkness triggers pineal gland to release this sleep hormone.
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Which option best defines sleep debt?
Which option best defines sleep debt?
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Cumulative sleep loss from consistently insufficient sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation accumulates like a debt.
Cumulative sleep loss from consistently insufficient sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation accumulates like a debt.
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Identify the sleep disorder: acting out dreams due to loss of REM atonia.
Identify the sleep disorder: acting out dreams due to loss of REM atonia.
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REM sleep behavior disorder. Failure of normal REM paralysis allows dream enactment.
REM sleep behavior disorder. Failure of normal REM paralysis allows dream enactment.
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Identify the sleep disorder: sudden sleep attacks with possible cataplexy.
Identify the sleep disorder: sudden sleep attacks with possible cataplexy.
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Narcolepsy. Loss of hypocretin causes sudden sleep and muscle weakness.
Narcolepsy. Loss of hypocretin causes sudden sleep and muscle weakness.
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Which condition best explains fatigue after rapid travel across time zones?
Which condition best explains fatigue after rapid travel across time zones?
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Jet lag from circadian rhythm desynchronization. Body clock conflicts with new time zone causing fatigue.
Jet lag from circadian rhythm desynchronization. Body clock conflicts with new time zone causing fatigue.
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Identify the sleep disorder: repeated breathing cessation during sleep with daytime sleepiness.
Identify the sleep disorder: repeated breathing cessation during sleep with daytime sleepiness.
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Sleep apnea. Breathing stops repeatedly, causing fragmented sleep.
Sleep apnea. Breathing stops repeatedly, causing fragmented sleep.
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Which brain structure is the primary pacemaker for circadian rhythms?
Which brain structure is the primary pacemaker for circadian rhythms?
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Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. SCN receives light input and synchronizes body rhythms.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. SCN receives light input and synchronizes body rhythms.
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Which sleep stage is most associated with memory consolidation for procedural skills?
Which sleep stage is most associated with memory consolidation for procedural skills?
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REM sleep. REM strengthens motor skills and procedural memories.
REM sleep. REM strengthens motor skills and procedural memories.
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What is the typical direction of heart rate and respiration during NREM sleep?
What is the typical direction of heart rate and respiration during NREM sleep?
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They generally decrease and become more regular. Body conserves energy with slower, steadier vitals.
They generally decrease and become more regular. Body conserves energy with slower, steadier vitals.
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What is REM atonia?
What is REM atonia?
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Skeletal muscle paralysis during REM sleep. Prevents physical movement during vivid dreams.
Skeletal muscle paralysis during REM sleep. Prevents physical movement during vivid dreams.
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What is circadian rhythm?
What is circadian rhythm?
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An endogenous $24-hour cycle regulating sleep and physiology. Internal biological clock that repeats approximately every 24 hours.
An endogenous $24-hour cycle regulating sleep and physiology. Internal biological clock that repeats approximately every 24 hours.
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What is the definition of consciousness in psychology?
What is the definition of consciousness in psychology?
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Awareness of self and environment, including subjective experience. Encompasses both objective awareness and subjective experiences.
Awareness of self and environment, including subjective experience. Encompasses both objective awareness and subjective experiences.
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Which sleep stage shows delta waves and is often called slow-wave sleep?
Which sleep stage shows delta waves and is often called slow-wave sleep?
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NREM Stage 3 (N3). High-amplitude delta waves define deep sleep.
NREM Stage 3 (N3). High-amplitude delta waves define deep sleep.
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During which sleep stage does sleepwalking most commonly occur?
During which sleep stage does sleepwalking most commonly occur?
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NREM Stage 3 (N3). Parasomnias like sleepwalking occur in deep NREM sleep.
NREM Stage 3 (N3). Parasomnias like sleepwalking occur in deep NREM sleep.
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What is sleep latency?
What is sleep latency?
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Time from attempting sleep to sleep onset. Measures how quickly someone falls asleep.
Time from attempting sleep to sleep onset. Measures how quickly someone falls asleep.
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Identify the condition caused by circadian misalignment after rapid time-zone travel.
Identify the condition caused by circadian misalignment after rapid time-zone travel.
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Jet lag. SCN remains synchronized to origin time zone, causing sleep disruption.
Jet lag. SCN remains synchronized to origin time zone, causing sleep disruption.
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What is the main EEG feature of NREM stage 1 (N1) sleep?
What is the main EEG feature of NREM stage 1 (N1) sleep?
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Theta waves. 4-7 Hz waves mark the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
Theta waves. 4-7 Hz waves mark the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
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What EEG pattern defines NREM stage 2 (N2) sleep?
What EEG pattern defines NREM stage 2 (N2) sleep?
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Sleep spindles and K-complexes. Spindles are 12-14 Hz bursts; K-complexes are sharp wave deflections.
Sleep spindles and K-complexes. Spindles are 12-14 Hz bursts; K-complexes are sharp wave deflections.
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What is the defining EEG characteristic of NREM stage 3 (N3) sleep?
What is the defining EEG characteristic of NREM stage 3 (N3) sleep?
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High-amplitude, low-frequency delta waves. Delta waves (<4 Hz) indicate deep, restorative slow-wave sleep.
High-amplitude, low-frequency delta waves. Delta waves (<4 Hz) indicate deep, restorative slow-wave sleep.
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Which sleep stage is most associated with vivid dreaming and muscle atonia?
Which sleep stage is most associated with vivid dreaming and muscle atonia?
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REM sleep. Paradoxical sleep with active brain but paralyzed voluntary muscles.
REM sleep. Paradoxical sleep with active brain but paralyzed voluntary muscles.
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What is the typical direction of heart rate and respiration during REM sleep?
What is the typical direction of heart rate and respiration during REM sleep?
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More variable and often increased compared with NREM. Autonomic functions become irregular during REM's heightened brain activity.
More variable and often increased compared with NREM. Autonomic functions become irregular during REM's heightened brain activity.
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Which sleep stage tends to increase in duration across successive sleep cycles?
Which sleep stage tends to increase in duration across successive sleep cycles?
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REM sleep. REM periods lengthen from ~10 to ~30 minutes through the night.
REM sleep. REM periods lengthen from ~10 to ~30 minutes through the night.
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Which sleep stage is most associated with sleepwalking (somnambulism)?
Which sleep stage is most associated with sleepwalking (somnambulism)?
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NREM stage 3 (N3). Occurs during deep sleep when motor cortex remains active.
NREM stage 3 (N3). Occurs during deep sleep when motor cortex remains active.
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Which sleep disorder involves airway obstruction causing repeated awakenings?
Which sleep disorder involves airway obstruction causing repeated awakenings?
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Obstructive sleep apnea. Collapsed airway causes hypoxia, triggering brief arousals to breathe.
Obstructive sleep apnea. Collapsed airway causes hypoxia, triggering brief arousals to breathe.
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What is narcolepsy characterized by?
What is narcolepsy characterized by?
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Excessive daytime sleepiness with sleep attacks and cataplexy. Caused by hypocretin/orexin deficiency affecting sleep-wake regulation.
Excessive daytime sleepiness with sleep attacks and cataplexy. Caused by hypocretin/orexin deficiency affecting sleep-wake regulation.
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