• Question: Why do we sleep?

    Asked by baybeejaay to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 16 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by susejdog.
    • Photo: Rachael Ward

      Rachael Ward answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Hi @baybeejaay

      This is a really important question and one that a lot of scientists are still trying to find all the answers to.

      We know that sleep helps your immune system so could make you better at fighting off colds or diseases or improve your recovery from an illness. We also know that sleep is very important for memory and if you deprive people of sleep then you get a lot worse at learning and memorising things – so its important to get a good nights sleep while youre revising for your exams!

      All mammals, all birds, and many reptiles, amphibians, and fish need sleep and its thought that only a very few basic animals dont sleep at all so, while we dont know exactly why, this tells us that it is a very important thing for an animals to do!

      I hope this answers your question

    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi @baybeejaay
      I agree with everything Rachael has said! Scientists are not sure, but we have a lot of theories about why it might be a good idea, from observing what happens when people don’t sleep, and comparing that with the behaviour of people who’ve slept well.

      Great question 🙂

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