So I got to thinking the other day, that I don't really know what goes on biologically to our bodies while we sleep. Why do humans need to sleep? We've all know it's to relax and recharge, but that's management talk. I want to know what sleeping actually does for us, in scientific terms. Any doc's/bio guys/gals know?
Along the same lines, where does sleep end in the animal kingdom? Humans sleep, and so do all the mammals I can think of. Sharks can turn part of their brain into standby mode to serve the same function as sleep. I don't know if all fish do that. What about jelly fish, shrimp, starfish, insects, arachnids, etc? What about bacteria, protists, and maybe even viruses?
Is it a matter of brains, chordates, or what? Does the complexity of organisms define when sleep is needed, or is it something else?
Seems like people waste a lot of time sleeping, 25-30% of your life if you get a decent amount of sleep.
Along the same lines, where does sleep end in the animal kingdom? Humans sleep, and so do all the mammals I can think of. Sharks can turn part of their brain into standby mode to serve the same function as sleep. I don't know if all fish do that. What about jelly fish, shrimp, starfish, insects, arachnids, etc? What about bacteria, protists, and maybe even viruses?
Is it a matter of brains, chordates, or what? Does the complexity of organisms define when sleep is needed, or is it something else?
Seems like people waste a lot of time sleeping, 25-30% of your life if you get a decent amount of sleep.