Nearly _____ percent of a baby's sleep is REM, compared to about _____ percent for a normal, healthy adult.

• A. 10; 90
• B. 20; 50
• C. 50; 20
• D. 90; 10

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of REM sleep: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is a unique phase of sleep characterized by rapid movement of the eyes, low muscle tone, and vivid dreams. It is crucial for cognitive functions and memory consolidation.
2. Recognize the differences in sleep patterns between infants and adults: Infants spend a larger proportion of their sleep in the REM phase compared to adults.
3. Recall typical REM sleep percentages: For adults, REM sleep typically constitutes about 20-25% of their total sleep time.
4. Consider the developmental needs of infants: Babies require more REM sleep for brain development, which is why a significant portion of their sleep is REM.
5. Apply this knowledge to the problem: Given the options, identify that nearly 50% of a baby's sleep is REM, while for adults, it is about 20%.