BIOL1108 – Melatonin Disruption Activity Questions – Summer 2019 – 15 pts

For each question, be sure you provide the sources you used to answer it at the end of the question (when
appropriate), even if it’s the same source as one from a previous question – answers without proper sources will
receive zero points. Reminder: encyclopedias of any sort are not appropriate references.

1. Identify and describe two separate reasons why we are thought to need to sleep. One of these reasons must
address the general functioning of the body, and one must involve the working of the brain specifically. For each
reason, why is sleep thought to be needed (i.e., what is happening while you sleep that benefits you)?
a) The first reason why we sleep is to allow our bodies to restore what is lost while the body is active. Sleep
provided an opportunity repair and rejuvenation of the body and strengthen itself. Major restorative
functions such as protein synthesis, tissue repair, muscle growth, and release of growth hormones occur
during sleep. Sleep also helps to rejuvenate the brain as well as cognitive function (Harvard Medical
School, 2007).
b) The second reason is to help solidify and consolidate bits of information collected during the day into
long-term memories. The brain processes and stores all experiences of the day while we sleep,
transferring all recorded information from tentative short memory to a more solid long-term memory
(National Sleep Foundation, 2019).

2. Thanksgiving is a time when we tend to ingest a lot of turkey, and then fall asleep (at least in my house ). It is
common to hear someone who is tired at Thanksgiving blame the turkey for their drowsiness. What reason has
been proposed for why turkey makes you sleepy? Why isn’t this explanation likely to be correct, and what is a
better hypothesis to explain sleepiness at Thanksgiving?

The reason that has been proposed to explain why people sleep after taking turkey is that turkey meat is high on
tryptophan – an amino acid which controls brain chemicals that make people feel tired. Tryptophan is part of
serotonin, a brain chemical which is converted to hormone melatonin. Melatonin is a well-known sleep-inducing
hormone. The truth is that turkey is not a better sleep-inducing food than other foods. Consumption of high
quantities of alcohol and carbohydrates can be the real cause of sleep at thanksgiving. Consuming carbohydrates
triggers insulin which eliminates most amino acids in the body, in exception of tryptophan. As a result,
tryptophan gets its way to the brain to form serotonin, and then melatonin (Lewis, 2013). 

3. Reduced melatonin is implicated in problems with sleep but it is also implicated in other health problems.
Identify two other potential health problems that can occur if melatonin levels are reduced, and explain why
reduced melatonin is thought to cause them.
a) Reduced melatonin is implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, especially in many types of dementia,
including Alzheimer's disease. The reason for this is the abolishment of the melatonin rhythm, which
leads to SCN degeneration in ageing individuals.
b) Another health risk is diabetes type 2 and other metabolic conditions. Melatonin has been found to
directly control the release of glucagon and insulin. In addition, the knockout of the MT 1 receptor gene
has been found to induce insulin resistance (Hardeland, 2012).
4. Melatonin is commonly sold in health food stores and pharmacies as a sleep aid. When might melatonin make
sense to use as a sleeping aid, how would you need to take it for it to have a beneficial impact, and why is this
the case? What evidence exists on the effectiveness of using melatonin supplements to help with sleeping
problems?

Melatonin should be taken used when experiencing sleep problems – a common symptom of insomnia. To have
a beneficial impact, it should be taken at the right time – before bed time or in the morning depending on one’s
sleep problem. Timing the doses is important because melatonin plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s
circadian rhythm, or biological clock. Many studies have proved the effectiveness of melatonin in aiding sleep.
This is evidenced by the ability of melatonin to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and

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 BIOL1108 – Melatonin Disruption Activity Questions – Summer 2019 – 15 pts

other eye diseases, reducing sleep disturbances in people with autism, ability to counter jet lag symptoms, and
relief in people suffering from tinnitus (Peters, 2019).

5. The screens found on electronic devices are thought to be significant disrupters of melatonin levels and sleep
cycles. Read the article at this link and explain what was found in the study it describes. Why are those types of
devices thought to be worse than other sources of artificial light?

The study found that exposure to bright, blue-tinged has an influence on the body’s metabolic processes. Blue-
enriched light emitted by electronic devices is characterized by blue wavelengths which affect our circadian
rhythm, which is controlled by light and in turn, controls the release of hormones, and our eating and sleeping
behavior. The effect of blue light on our metabolism can lead to reduced weight and disruption of the body’s
ability to regulate glucose levels (Macdonald, 2016).

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 BIOL1108 – Melatonin Disruption Activity Questions – Summer 2019 – 15 pts

References

Hardeland, R. (2012). Neurobiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Melatonin Deficiency and Dysfunction. Scientific
World Journal, 640389.

Harvard Medical School. (2007, December 18). Why Do We Sleep, Anyway? Retrieved from Healthy Sleep:
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep/why-do-we-sleep

Lewis, T. (2013, November 26). Thanksgiving Myth Busted: Eating Turkey Won't Make You Sleepy. Retrieved from Live
Science: https://www.livescience.com/41543-thanksgiving-myth-busted-eating-turkey-won-t-make-you-
sleepy.html

Macdonald, F. (2016, May 20). Bright Light at Night Time Can Seriously Mess With Your Metabolism, Study Finds.
Retrieved from Science Alert: https://www.sciencealert.com/checking-your-phone-at-night-could-be-messing-
with-your-metabolism

National Sleep Foundation. (2019). Why Do We Need Sleep? Retrieved from National Sleep Foundation:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/why-do-we-need-sleep

Peters, B. (2019, March 04). The Health Benefits of Melatonin. Retrieved from Very Well Health:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-take-melatonin-3015192