Question

If you were analyzing the results of a sleep study in which the participant began the sleep cycle with REM sleep and spent 50% of the time in REM sleep, what could you determine about the age of the participant?

A. The subject is at least 6 months of age.


B. The subject is between 2 and 4 years of age.


C. The subject is between birth and 3 months of age.


D. The subject is most likely an adult.

Answer 1

The participant's sleep pattern indicates that they are very likely between birth and 3 months of age, as a high proportion of REM sleep and beginning the sleep cycle with REM are characteristic of newborns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The prevalence of REM sleep in the sleep cycle of the participant, especially beginning with REM sleep and spending 50% of the total sleep time in this phase, is indicative of a very young age, typically newborns or infants in the early months of life. Normal sleep cycles begin with NREM sleep and proceed through its stages before reaching REM sleep.

This particular pattern of starting the sleep cycle with REM and having a markedly increased proportion of REM suggests that the participant is most likely in the age group consistent with option C, which is between birth and 3 months of age. Newborn babies have more REM sleep than any other age group, which may support cognitive development and brain growth during these vital early months.