Types of biological rhythms
Ultradian Rhythms
* These have a frequency of more than one complete cycle per 24 hours.
* The frequency of these cycles has been found to be influenced by brain and body size. The smaller the animal the more frequent the cycle.
* An example of an Ultradian Rhythm is the different sleep stages in the sleep cycle - that can occur multiple times whilst a person is sleeping.
Infradian Rhythms
* These are rhythms that occur less than once every twenty four hours.
* Some Infradian Rhythms occur on a seasonal basis,.
* Examples of Infradian Rhythms are the menstrual cycle, and migration in birds.
Circadian Rhythms
* These occur every 24 hours, and are controlled by enogenous pacemakers.
* These rhythms are very important to animals, and some examples are sleep, hormone secretion, blood pressure and body temperature.
* They can be easily influenced by the enviornment.
* These have a frequency of more than one complete cycle per 24 hours.
* The frequency of these cycles has been found to be influenced by brain and body size. The smaller the animal the more frequent the cycle.
* An example of an Ultradian Rhythm is the different sleep stages in the sleep cycle - that can occur multiple times whilst a person is sleeping.
Infradian Rhythms
* These are rhythms that occur less than once every twenty four hours.
* Some Infradian Rhythms occur on a seasonal basis,.
* Examples of Infradian Rhythms are the menstrual cycle, and migration in birds.
Circadian Rhythms
* These occur every 24 hours, and are controlled by enogenous pacemakers.
* These rhythms are very important to animals, and some examples are sleep, hormone secretion, blood pressure and body temperature.
* They can be easily influenced by the enviornment.
Teaching points
* Provide table of definitons, clearly explain the difference between the three types of biological rhythms.
* 'Matching Task' - Match definitons and explainations with names of the rhythms. Could be a group task.
* Give each group a study on supporting endogenous pacemakers. Make a poster and present to class.
* Good Essay example on endogenous Pacemakers;
https://simplypsych.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/discuss-the-role-of-endogenous-pacemakers-in-the-control-of-one-or-more-biological-rhythms-816-marks/
* 'Matching Task' - Match definitons and explainations with names of the rhythms. Could be a group task.
* Give each group a study on supporting endogenous pacemakers. Make a poster and present to class.
* Good Essay example on endogenous Pacemakers;
https://simplypsych.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/discuss-the-role-of-endogenous-pacemakers-in-the-control-of-one-or-more-biological-rhythms-816-marks/
