Abstract
Sleep is a behavioral state of homeothermic vertebrate mammals defined by: (1) characteristic changes in posture; and (2) raised sensory thresholds; (3) distinctive electrographic signs. Sleep is usually associated with a marked diminution of motor activity and with the assumption of recumbent postures. Typically the eyes close and the somatic musculature becomes hypotonic. Threshold to external stimulation increases and animals become progressively more unresponsive to external stimuli as sleep deepens.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Further reading
Hobson JA, Steriade M (1986): The Neuronal Basis of Behavioral State Control,in Mountcastle V, ed (1986): Handbook of Physiology,Bloom F, ed (1986): Vol IV, Internal Regulatory Systems,pp 701–823, American Physiological Society
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hobson, J.A. (1988). Sleep. In: States of Brain and Mind. Readings from the Encyclopedia of Neuroscience . Birkhäuser, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6771-8_43
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6771-8_43
Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-6773-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-6771-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive