Science quiz: On sleep – The Hindu

Everyone takes sleep for granted. Increasingly however, experts are pointing out that a good night’s sleep is as essential for health as nutrition and exercise. So how much do you know about this under-rated aspect of health? Take the quiz to find out!

Q: What is the general recommended number of hours an adult should sleep for?

A: Seven to nine hours

Q: There are different stages of sleep, falling into two broad categories: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM. In which stage of sleep does brain activity look very similar to brain activity while you’re awake?

A: REM sleep, the stage when most dreams occur

Q: You don’t have to get all of your sleep at once. Napping during the day is part of some cultures. What is a nap during the day called in Spanish and Japanese?

A: Siesta and inemuri

Q: True or False: We are taller in the morning after waking up than when we go to bed

A: True. The spinal column lengthens when lying down, causing a height increase. Also, in children, the growth hormone is secreted in pulses overnight.

Q: This is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. People who have it repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. A common symptom is snoring. What is it called?

A: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)

Q: The image above is a ball-and-stick model of the hormone that controls the day-night cycle in the body. Name it

A: Melatonin