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MCAT Psychology Question — Sleep Cycles

REM cycle sleep is characterized by all of the following traits, EXCEPT:

A) Muscle paralysis

B) Rapid eye movement

C) Delta rhythms on an EEG

D) High brain activity

 

 

Explanation

A) Muscle Paralysis – Incorrect

B) Rapid eye movement – Incorrect

C) Delta rhythms on an EEG – Correct

D) High brain activity – Incorrect

REM sleep is characterized by muscular paralysis (although the brain is commanding the muscles to move), rapid eye movement, and high levels of brain activity. Delta rhythms on an EEG are characteristic of deep, non-REM sleep, whereas Beta rhythms signal an active cortex and are observed during REM sleep. Answer choice C is therefore the correct answer.


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