To take the Quiz for last month's Word of the Day click below:
| Date | Word | Definition |
| 5/1/2013 | circadian rhythm | innate, daily, fluctuation of behavioral and physiological functions tied to 24 hr cycle |
| 5/2/2013 | diurnal | active and wakeful in the daytime |
| 5/3/2013 | nocturnal | active and wakeful in the night |
| 5/6/2013 | sleep | a state marked by lessened consciousness, movement, and slowed metabolism |
| 5/7/2013 | REM | Rapid Eye Movement sleep most dreaming occurs in this stage 20% of sleep |
| 5/8/2013 | NREM | non-REM sleep 80% of sleep |
| 5/9/2013 | light sleep | stage 1 and 2 of non-REM sleep |
| 5/10/2013 | deep sleep | stage 3 and 4 of non-REM sleep |
| 5/13/2013 | serotonin | neurotransmitter in the brain that modulates mood, appetite, body temp and sleep |
| 5/14/2013 | melatonin | hormone derived from serotonin in the pineal gland, involved in sleep, aging, and reproduction |
| 5/15/2013 | brain waves | the brain’s spontaneous electrical activity studied by electroencephalography (EEG) |
| 5/16/2013 | alpha brain rhythm | EEG oscillations over the occipital cortex, indicative of an awake relaxed state |
| 5/17/2013 | beta brain rhythm | second most common waveform occurring in EEGs indicates active alert state |
| 5/20/2013 | arousal threshold | ease that a sleeping person is awakened |
| 5/21/2013 | narcolepsy | sleep disorder, an abnormal tendency to pass directly from wakefulness into REM sleep |
| 5/22/2013 | photoperoid | duration of light in a light/dark cycle |
| 5/23/2013 | zeitgerber | environmental time cue that entrains biological rhythms to a specific periodicity |
| 5/24/2013 | sleep apnea | the cessation of airflow at the nostrils and mouth for at least 10 seconds |
| 5/28/2013 | nightmare | unpleasant and/or frightening dream occurring in REM sleep |
| 5/29/2013 | myoclonus | muscle contractions in the form of "jerks" or twitches |
| 5/30/2013 | insomnia | difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep |
| 5/31/2013 | bruxism | grinding the teeth while asleep |
Freimann Life Science Center can be
contacted at :
e-mail: ndflsc.ndflsc.1@nd.edu
phone: 574-631-6085
FAX : 574-631-4519
Last Updated 5/1/2013