PSL300 Assignment 1b PDF

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PSL300 Assignment 1b Results/Discussion Controlling variables such as; exposure of lux/day, timing of dim light, were adjusted to obtain results of a graph showing salivary melatonin (pg/mL) vs. hours from habitual bedtime. From this graph the area under the curve (pg/mL*h) expressing melatonin leve...

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PSL300 Assignment 1b Results/Discussion Controlling variables such as; exposure of lux/day, timing of dim light, were adjusted to obtain results of a graph showing salivary melatonin (pg/mL) vs. hours from habitual bedtime. From this graph the area under the curve (pg/mL*h) expressing melatonin levels per hour, was then used to create another graph showing melatonin levels at different time intervals vs. duration of dim light or bright light exposure. The average melatonin suppression during the light exposure was found to be 87.6%. These levels remained suppressed for about 50 minutes after the light was shut off. Because young individuals have larger pupils and lenses are more transparent, they are more sensitive to light exposure than adults. Adults were exposed to 10000 lux of light (10 times that of kids) and only experienced about 39% suppression of melatonin during the light exposure. When light hits the eyes retina in the evening, it creates a cascade of signals to the circadian system to suppress melatonin and try to reverse the body from acting the way it’s supposed to act during the nighttime. Melatonin does not only regulate sleep but also many physiological processes such as; thermoregulation, blood pressure, and glucose homeostasis. Additionally, it also acts as an antioxidant by interacting with intracellular components. Although 1000 lux is greater than what the average electronic device emits, children do tend to spend more time on devices nowadays before going to bed, which further suppresses melatonin secretion....