The Science of Sleep Quiz

What are biological clocks?

• Alarms that wake you up

• Watches that track sleep

• Internal mechanisms that regulate bodily functions

• Devices that tell time

Answer explanation

Biological clocks are internal mechanisms that regulate bodily functions, such as sleep-wake cycles and hormone release, rather than physical devices or alarms.

True or false: Caffeine is a sedative and makes you sleepy.

• Sometimes true

• False

• True

• Depends on the person

Answer explanation

Caffeine is a stimulant, not a sedative. It increases alertness and can make you feel more awake, so the statement is false.

What is melatonin?

• A type of vitamin

• A hormone that regulates sleep

• A sleep disorder

• A type of protein

Answer explanation

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. It signals the body when it's time to sleep, making 'A hormone that regulates sleep' the correct choice.

Jet lag is a disruption of a person’s circadian rhythms from long-distance travel.

• True

• False

• Only during the day

• Only at night

Answer explanation

Jet lag occurs when long-distance travel disrupts a person's circadian rhythms, leading to symptoms like fatigue and disorientation. Therefore, the statement is true.

This region of the brain acts as the body's master clock:

• Cortex

• Medulla

• Hypothalamus

• Cerebellum

Answer explanation

The hypothalamus is known as the body's master clock because it regulates circadian rhythms and maintains homeostasis, controlling various physiological processes in response to environmental cues.

The hormone that increases feelings of relaxation and sleepiness and signals that it is time to go to sleep:

• melatonin

• sleep deprived

• short sleepers

• jet lag