Question

Oscar and Emily have been staying up late and getting up early to finish a project for their architecture class over the five weeks that they work these kinds of long hours, which of the following do you predict is least likely to happen?

A. They'll be less able to think creatively as they work on their project.
B. They'll begin to feel somewhat depressed.
C. They’ll come down with a cold.
D. Their bodies will be unable to engage in metabolism.

Answer 1

Staying up late and waking up early can impact creativity, mood, and immune response, but the least likely effect from sleep deprivation is the complete inability to engage in metabolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Oscar and Emily have been staying up late and getting up early to finish an architecture project over five weeks, several outcomes can occur due to sleep deprivation. First, they may experience a decrease in creative thinking abilities because adequate sleep is necessary for cognitive processes that underlie creativity.

Second, a sense of depression could emerge, as lack of sleep is associated with mood disturbances. Third, their immune system could be compromised, making them more susceptible to catch a cold. However, the least likely outcome from this scenario would be 'D. Their bodies will be unable to engage in metabolism.'

Metabolism is a continuous process that the body undergoes to maintain life, and while sleep deprivation can affect metabolic processes and the endocrine system, causing things like poor glucose regulation and increased appetite, it does not halt metabolism entirely. Therefore, option 'D' is the least likely outcome of Oscar and Emily's sleep deprivation due to their project commitments.