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Why does noise wake you up?

Why do loud noises wake you from sleep? Also, how come it's more difficult to fall asleep in noisey environments, but only if the noises are 'irregular'? By that I mean, it seems easier to fall asleep when there is constant white noise such as an engine running.
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 PeteFowler365 says:

It's a self-preservation reflex. When you're asleep in your cave, continuous silence, or continuous noise, like the patter of rain or waves breaking, probably means you can safely continue sleeping.  But a sudden noise, or sudden cessation of noise, very likely means the entry of an intruder or predator.

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posted on 2010-01-14 23:43:14 | Report abuse

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 translatrix says:

I don't know if this is an additional evolutionary advantage but it's also very handy that you can wake someone up without touching her if it's necessary.

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posted on 2010-01-15 11:35:41 | Report abuse

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 ChuenYan says:

Because if your great great great great great great(...) grandfather didn't wake up to that lion roar in the plains of Africa, you wouldn't be here on last-word.com

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posted on 2010-03-05 15:35:00 | Report abuse

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