We have yet to find a scientific explanation for why sleep is vital, but scientists have come up with theories. Studies have shown that sleeping significantly less than the body needs, even if it's for one night, can lead to weakening of the immune system. Our bodies have a biological clock, we're made to do different activities at a certain time of day. Sleeping, for example, is meant to be done at night. And when a disruption occurs, if something were to be done at a different time of day, it messes up our biological clock. And when our biological clock is disrupted due to sleep patterns, our stress level increases, and will build up over time, which will then weaken our body's immunity.
These studies are relevant to our next unit, which is on the immune system. The immune system's primary role in the body is to fight off pathogens that come to contact with our bodies. When the immune system senses danger, it has three different lines of defense mechanisms to attack those pathogens. The immune system's role in our body is really important, as it protects us against infectious diseases that can do harm to the body. However, if a factor like sleep loss weakens the immune system, it puts the body at a higher risk for diseases, and therefore will decrease the chances of longevity.
Why Loss of Sleep Lowers Body Immunity:
http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/your-health/39539-why-loss-of-sleep-lowers-body-immunity
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How does not getting enough sleep for our body weaken our immune system? Also, how does the biological clock affect, or is related to, our immune system and its functions?
ReplyDeleteSleep deprivation weakens the immune system because immune cells recover during the night when asleep, so when you don't sleep enough, the immune cells don't have a chance to recover and function properly the next day.
DeleteAs for the biological clock, scientists are still researching this topic, but they have hypothesized that a certain hormone secreted by the bio. clock controls the effect of a protein involved in the immune system.
What part of the immune system is weakened, as in which of the three lines of defense is effected?
ReplyDeleteLack of sleep leads to inflammation of tissues, so the second line of defense.
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