AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Melatonin, released by the pineal gland, controls your sleep patterns. Levels increase at night time, making you feel sleepy. While you’re sleeping, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone, which helps your body to grow and repair itself.

Detailed explanation-2: -The brain stem, at the base of the brain, communicates with the hypothalamus to control the transitions between wake and sleep. (The brain stem includes structures called the pons, medulla, and midbrain.)

Detailed explanation-3: -During the night, these stages of quiet sleep alternate with periods of REM sleep (dreaming sleep). Quiet sleep is important because it helps restore the body, while REM sleep restores the mind and is important for both learning and memory.

Detailed explanation-4: -Cortisol levels drop which allows for the release of the sleep hormone melatonin as well as increased levels of growth and repair hormones. Much of this repair and growth is in muscle. During REM sleep, the body shifts its resources to the task of repairing tissues and cells.