Sid Is Taking Part in Research on the Effects of Sleep

question 23

Multiple Choice

Sid is taking part in research on the effects of sleep deprivation; he has been without sleep for 75 hours. Right now researchers have asked him to sit in front of a computer screen and hit a button each time he sees the letter S on the screen. A few days ago, Sid was a whiz at this task; however, he is doing very poorly today. How are sleep researchers likely to explain Sid's poor performance?

• A) Due to the sleep deprivation, Sid does not understand the task
• B) Microsleeps are occurring due to the sleep deprivation and he is asleep for brief periods of time
• C) He is determined to ruin the research because of the suffering he is enduring at the hands of the researchers
• D) He is probably dreaming that he is somewhere else and has no interest in responding to the "here and now"

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Definitions:

DAG

Diacylglycerol, a lipid molecule that acts as a second messenger in signal transduction pathways within cells.

Signal Amplification

The process by which a few signaling molecules can elicit major responses in the cell; the strength of each signaling molecule is magnified.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a cell responds to external signals through a series of molecular changes that convert the signal into a specific cellular response.

Local Regulators

Substances produced in one part of an organism that affect cells in close proximity.