Nature: The Human Body 1

– Deep Sleep –

Sleep, an integral part of human life, is a biological function shrouded in mystery. Although everyone spends about a third of their lives asleep, the precise reasons behind the necessity of sleep remain a subject of ongoing research.

One widely accepted theory is the restorative function of sleep. It’s during these dormant hours that the body undertakes repair and recovery operations. Muscle tissue is rebuilt, growth hormones are secreted, and the immune system is bolstered.

Beyond physical repair, sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive functions. It aids in memory consolidation, a process where short-term memories are converted into long-term storage. Furthermore, during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, the brain is active and dreams occur, believed by some researchers to contribute to problem-solving and creativity.

Insufficient sleep can lead to a host of health problems, including impaired cognitive abilities, weakened immune function, and increased risk of chronic diseases. Thus, maintaining good sleep hygiene is essential for overall health and well-being.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.

Sleep is an ______ part of human life, although the exact reasons behind its necessity are still under research.
One theory suggests that sleep has a ______ function, allowing the body to undergo repair and recovery.
During sleep, muscle ______ is rebuilt, growth hormones are released, and the immune system strengthens.
Sleep is also important for ______ functions, as it helps in consolidating memories.
In the REM stage of sleep, the ______ becomes active, which some researchers believe contributes to problem-solving and creativity.
Lack of sufficient sleep can lead to various health issues, including weakened immune function and an increased risk of ______ diseases.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

Sleep, an essential human biological activity, remains enigmatic despite occupying roughly a third of our lives. It is postulated that sleep serves a ______ role, allowing for physiological repair and rejuvenation. This includes muscle tissue ______, the release of growth hormones, and immune system fortification. Crucially, sleep also aids in ______ functions, notably memory consolidation and potentially problem-solving and creativity during the REM phase when the ______ is highly active. Sleep deprivation can result in a multitude of health complications, ranging from impaired cognitive abilities to increased susceptibility to ______ diseases, underscoring the importance of quality sleep.

Vocabulary Builder

Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.

Original Word	Variants Used
integral	______________________
restorative	______________________
regeneration	____________ / ____________
cognitive	______________________
brain	______________________
chronic	______________________
sleep	______________________
hormones	______________________
deprivation	______________________

Reveal answer (4 More Words)

Original Word	Variants Used
integral	essential
restorative	repair
regeneration	rejuvenation, rebuild
cognitive	memory-related
brain	mind
chronic	long-term
sleep	rest
hormones	chemicals
deprivation	lack