Which of the following processes typically occur during REM sleep?

• A. Rapid eye movements and vivid dreaming
• B. Complete absence of brain activity
• C. Slow brain waves and minimal brain activity
• D. Deep muscle tone and voluntary movement

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is a distinct phase of the sleep cycle characterized by specific physiological and neurological features.
2. Recall that during REM sleep, the brain shows activity patterns similar to wakefulness, which is why vivid dreaming often occurs in this stage.
3. Recognize that rapid eye movements are a hallmark of REM sleep, hence the name, and these movements are easily observable.
4. Note that muscle tone is typically very low during REM sleep, leading to muscle atonia, which prevents voluntary movement despite brain activity.
5. Eliminate options that describe deep muscle tone, minimal brain activity, or complete absence of brain activity, as these are not characteristic of REM sleep but rather other sleep stages.