Biological - NIH Office of Science Education - National Institutes of ...

Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Biological Rhythms
Lesson 2 Organizer: Web Version
Activity 1: Houston, We Have a Problem
What the Teacher Does
Explain that this lesson uses a hypothetical scenario to investigate
physiology and the major stages of sleep.
• Ask the class to reflect on their responses to the statement
from Lesson 1, “Sleep is time for the body and
brain to shut down for rest.” (False.)
Divide the class into student teams. Instruct them to log onto
the Web site and click on “Lesson 2—Houston, We Have a
Problem.”
Give each student a copy of Master 2.2, Astronaut
Telemetry Evaluation Form.
After they have listened to the introduction, have students
evaluate data for each astronaut and write down their observations,
interpretations, and conclusions using Master 2.2,
Astronaut Telemetry Form.
Discuss the sleep state of each astronaut and ask,
• Which data are useful for making such determinations?
• How can we distinguish between REM and NREM sleep?
• How can we distinguish between REM and wakefulness?
• How can we distinguish between NREM and wakefulness?
Explain that during the night, we cycle between NREM and
REM sleep several times.
• Introduce the concept of an ultradian rhythm.
• Ask the class, What can you conclude about sleep from
this investigation?
Procedure Reference
Page 71
Step 1
Page 71
Step 2
Page 71
Step 3
Page 72
Step 4
Page 72
Steps 5–7
Pages 72–73
Step 8
= Involves using the Internet. = Involves copying a master.
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