Discuss the nature of biological rhythms.

You must include

research in your answer (16 marks)

A01 A03

● Circadian rhythm (define) ● Circadian

○ Sleep-wake cycle ○ Siffre and Aschoff&
● Ultradian (define) ○ Cseizler
○ Stages of sleep ● Ultradian
● Infradian (define) ○ Dement and kleitman
○ SAD ○ Not absolute
● Infradian
○ SAD alt.
○ Phototherapy

Biological rhythms are processes that show cyclical variation over time and reflect the influence
of the earth’s rotation upon its inhabitants.
Circadian rhythms last for approximately 24 hours, and are referred to as a ‘body clock’. A
common example is the sleep-wake cycle: the master pacemaker is the suprachiasmatic nuclei
(SCN) in the hypothalamus. The SCN is reset by photoentrainment; melanopsin cells in the eye
detect brightness from light and the send the information via the optic nerve to the SCN. The
cycle is guided by exogenous zeitgebers (light), although the cycle is thought to be a free
running endogenous clock.

Research to support that circadian rhythms persist despite isolation from natural light comes
from Siffre who spent 7 months living in caves with no external cues such as clocks or natural
light, and showed that circadian rhythms settle down to about 24-25 hours. Aschoff and Weaver
who placed participants in a WW2 bunker with no external cues, and found that the majority
displayed circadians rhythms of 24-25 hours. Thus supporting the ‘free-running’ nature of
circadian rhythms. However Czeisler showed that dim light was a powerful exogenous zeitgeber
that could alter the length of circadian rhythm between 22-28 hours. Therefore they say that the
free-running nature was not properly measured and means more research must be done before
conclusions are drawn.

Ultradian rhythms​ last ​less than a day​, and a good example of this is the stages of sleep;
wherein the body goes through the 5 stages of sleep lasting 90 minutes.
Stages 1 and 2​ (light sleep) where the brain produces​ alpha and beta waves​, and eventually
theta​ waves as a person starts ​falling asleep​ (frequency increases).
Stages 3 and 4​ are known as ​slow wave sleep​, this is when the brain produces ​delta waves
and when the body is thought to go through ​physiological repair​ due to the ​release of growth
hormones.
Stage 5​ is ​rapid eye movement sleep​ (REM) with EEG activity resembling that of an awake
brain, this is when the brain performs ​learning consolidation​.

Supporting research​ has been found into the ultradian rhythm of the 5 stages of sleep.
Research suggests that in ​REM sleep people dream​. ​Dement and Kleitman​ ​woke​ up ptts
during the night when brain activity was ​characteristic of REM sleep​. Ptts were ​highly likely
to be dreaming​ at this time, with ​some​ having ​matching eye movement in synchronisation
of the dream​ they were having.
However,​ findings were ​not absolute​ as there was ​widespread individual differences​ found
as ​dreams​ were ​recorded outside of REM sleep​. Therefore suggesting that other factors may
have affected their dreaming so ​more research is needed​ before firm conclusions are drawn.

Infradian rhythms​ last​ longer than 24 hours​, but ​less than a year​.
Seasonal affective disorder​ (SAD), is an example of an infradian rhythm (occuring once a
year), which is a ​depressive condition ​during the ​winter months​, as a result of ​longer hours
of darkness​ and fewer hours of sunlight. It’s thought to be caused as ​more darkness
increases melatonin levels which decrease serotonin​, making the individual ​display
depressive symptoms.

SAD​ could in fact ​not​ be an ​infradian rhythm​ but instead a ​disrupted circadian rhythm​ due
to ​exogenous zeitgebers​. As the ​winter months​ set in, people ​get up​ at the ​same time​, but
may choose to ​go to bed earlier as it’s dark​. This could lead to ​confusing the body​ into
thinking​ time is shifting​ resulting in ​negative symptoms similar to depression​.

There are significant real world ​practical applications​ with the research into infradian rhythms.
The research helps us understand the ​impact of darkness in SAD​, and can therefore be used
to develop effective therapies; ​phototherapy​ uses strong lights (majorly blue light) in the
evening to ​change levels of melatonin and in turn serotonin​, which helps ​reduce
depressive symptoms​. Phototherapy is ​noninvasive​ and has ​no side effects​, ​unlike​ other
methods of treating depressive symptoms (​drug therapy​ - SSRIs). Therefore the research into
biological rhythms is an important area of applied psychology that can be used to benefit
society.