Question

Which of the following has NOT been proposed as a function of sleep?

A) to clear short-term memory
B) to conserve energy
C) to facilitate long-term memory
D) mental practicing while dreaming
E) to enhance immune function"

Answer 1

The function of sleep that has not been proposed is to clear short-term memory, as sleep is primarily associated with long-term memory formation and cognitive benefits.

Step-by-step explanation:

The function of sleep that has NOT been proposed is A) to clear short-term memory. While sleep has been linked to various benefits such as energy conservation, facilitation of long-term memory, enhanced immune function, and mental practice through dreaming, there is no scientific consensus on sleep being required to clear short-term memory. Instead, it is known that sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive deficits, impairments in decision-making, and a failure to recall long-term memories.

Furthermore, the process of memory formation is indeed tied to sleep, with studies showing that slow-wave sleep (during deeper stages of sleep) enhances performance on recently learned tasks and is essential for effectively solidifying memories.