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Learn about circadian rhythms, the internal body clock that governs human functions over a 25-hour cycle. Discover how body temperature fluctuates during a day and its impact on alertness. Conduct a circadian rhythms experiment to measure your temperature every 2 hours. Record data accurately and chart your findings.
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Circadian Rhythms Only write notes for slides with this symbol. Psych I: Take notes on pg 25 of Portfolio
What are Circadian Rhythms? • Research conducted in caves, as well as in modern sleep laboratories where the environment is completely time-free, has proven that the human body is governed by built-in time setters, commonly referred to as an internal body clock.
What are Circadian Rhythms? • Over 100 body functions fluctuate between their minimum and maximum values once a day. • These fluctuations in human functioning take about a day's time to complete—roughly 25 hours—the term circadian rhythms was coined (circadian means "about a day" in Latin). • Dr. Franz Halberg of Germany first used this term in 1959 to describe these changing body functions.
Temperature • One of the most easily measured of these circadian rhythms is the body temperature. • Healthy humans experience rhythmic variations in their body temperature throughout the course of each day.
Temperature • For most people, the difference between high and low values is about two degrees Fahrenheit (97° to 99°) • Lowest value typically occurring in the early morning hours (2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) • Highest values commonly occurring in the evening (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.).
Temperature • Studies in which the body temperature has been monitored in a time-free environment have shown that our temperature level fluctuates in the same 25- to 26-hour pattern, no matter when we sleep or when we are awake. In short, our body temperature cycle operates independently of our sleep/wake cycle.
Internal Desynchronization • When the sleep/wake and body temperature cycles are no longer "in sync" with each other, we experience a condition known as internal desynchronization. • An employee placed on the night shift must suddenly ignore the light-dark patterns in the external environment, and try to sleep at a time when the body temperature clock is telling him or her to be most alert and active.
Circadian Rhythms Experiment • For two days (this weekend) You will measure your temperature using a thermometer every 2 hours from the time you get up in the morning to the time you go to sleep. • (If you can't measure your temperature every 2 hours, then just measure it as often as it is feasible). • Don't eat or drink anything 15 minutes before you take your temperature.
Circadian Rhythms Experiment • Make sure to take your temperature the same way every time and that you read the temperature VERY ACCURATELY....the differences in your body temperature are only a few 0.1 of a degree. • Chart your body temperature • Assess your state of alertness (asleep to hyper) • Record body temperature to nearest 0.1°F • Notes: Record what you were doing at the time (Reading, running) • Only take temperature while sitting – Do NOT do it while driving, walking, running or any other activity where you could bite the thermometer
Alertness Rating Scale Chart Psych I: Use page 26 in portfolio to put this chart on.
