Nerve-signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters control whether we are asleep or awake by acting on different groups of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Neurons in the brainstem, which connects the brain with the spinal cord, produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine that keep some parts of the brain active while we are awake. Other neurons at the base of the brain begin signaling when we fall asleep. These neurons appear to "switch off" the signals that keep us awake. Research also suggests that a chemical called adenosine builds up in our blood while we are awake and causes drowsiness. This chemical gradually breaks down while we sleep.
During sleep, we usually pass through five phases of sleep: stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These stages progress in a cycle from stage 1 to REM sleep, then the cycle starts over again with stage 1. . . .
During stage 1, which is light sleep, we drift in and out of sleep. Our eyes move very slowly and muscle activity slows. People awakened from stage 1 sleep often remember fragmented visual images. Many also experience sudden muscle contractions called hypnic myoclonia, often preceded by a sensation of starting to fall. These sudden movements are similar to the "jump" we make when startled. When we enter stage 2 sleep, our eye movements stop and our brain waves (fluctuations of electrical activity that can be measured by electrodes) become slower, with occasional bursts of rapid waves called sleep spindles. In stage 3, extremely slow brain waves called delta waves begin to appear, interspersed with smaller, faster waves. By stage 4, the brain produces delta waves almost exclusively. It is very difficult to wake someone during stages 3 and 4, which together are called deep sleep. There is no eye movement or muscle activity. . . .
Sleep research is expanding and attracting more and more attention from scientists. Researchers now know that sleep is an active and dynamic state that greatly influences our waking hours, and they realize that we must understand sleep to fully understand the brain. Innovative techniques, such as brain imaging, can now help researchers understand how different brain regions function during sleep and how different activities and disorders affect sleep. Understanding the factors that affect sleep in health and disease may also lead to revolutionary new therapies for sleep disorders and to ways of overcoming jet lag and the problems associated with shift work. We can expect these and many other benefits from research that will allow us to more fully understand the impact of sleep on our lives.
2
What connection can be made between stages 3 and 4 of sleep and the brain's activity during these stages?
A.
Fewer delta waves are produced during these stages than in stages 1 and 2 of sleep.
B.
More muscle activity occurs during these stages than in stages 1 and 2 of sleep.
C.
People can be easily awakened during these stages because brain activity is very limited.
D.
People awakened during these stages do not adjust immediately and may feel groggy.
1 answer
The correct answer is D. People awakened during these stages do not adjust immediately and may feel groggy.
This connection can be made because stage 3 and stage 4 of sleep are characterized as deep sleep, during which it is very difficult to wake someone. This deep sleep state can lead to grogginess if a person is awakened during these stages, as they may not adjust immediately to being awake due to the brain's reduced activity during deep sleep.
