CARTA Glossary

A genus of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that convert sugars to lactic acid. In humans, they are a significant component of the microbiome and can survive in the harsh pH conditions of the digestive and genital systems. Lactobacillus species are normally a major part of the vaginal microbiota. While receiving nutrients from their human host, Lactobacilli protect the host against certain pathogens, even helping to treat diarrhea, vaginal infections, and skin disorders such as eczema. Lactobacillus is the most common probiotic, perhaps most notable for its use in yogurt.

A common genus of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria that normally inhabits the lower reproductive system and vagina of healthy women.

Machine learning algorithms that can recognize, summarize, translate, predict, and generate human languages on the basis of very large text-based datasets.

The Last Glacial Maximum occurred about 20,000 years ago (or more specifically between 24,000 and 18,000 years BP) during the last phase of the Pleistocene Epoch, when the global sea level was some 125 meters lower than it is today, due to the sea water being locked up as glaciers and ice sheets, and having reached their maximum total mass during the last ice age. The climate was much colder and drier.

A sleep schedule therapy hypothesized to relieve peripartum depression by altering melatonin and sleep timing (sleep from 9:00 pm - 01:00 am).

The progressive atrophy (shrinkage and loss of neurons) of the front (anterior) part of the left temporal lobe of the brain.

A method of creating stone tools by first striking flakes off the stone, or core, along the edges to create the prepared core and then striking the prepared core in such a way that the intended tool is flaked off with all of its edges pre-sharpened.

The subfield of linguistic semantics that studies how individual words convey meaning, the relationship between those meanings, and how the lexicon is structured in the mind.

Untrue stories the teller wants the listener to believe.

An evolutionary framework for understanding the timing of developmental milestones and life stages.

Structures of the brain that deal with emotions and memory.

A chemical compound that causes a plant to grow faster when it is added. Biologically available nitrogen is a limiting nutrient for plants in almost all terrestrial ecosystems that have been studied. Other soil nutrients that are limiting include calcium, phosphate, magnesium and potassium.

The scientific study of human language.

One of the four classes of major biomolecules. The overall name for DNA and RNA, which are composed of nucleotides. DNA is double-stranded and more stable while RNA is single-stranded and less stable.

A unique physical position on a chromosome.

A DNA sequencing technology that generates reads that are typically longer than 10 kbp in length. To be distinguished from short read sequencing technology (eg. Illumina), which is typically 100-250 bp in length.

A complex physiological and psychological phenomenon driven by a combination of hormonal, neural, and biochemical processes. These processes involve several key brain regions and chemicals that influence attraction, bonding, and attachment between individuals. Love as a social concept is dependent on a variety of cultural, societal, and interpersonal dynamics.

A prominent groove on the lateral surface of the occipital lobe that marks the anterior boundary of the primary visual cortex; its posterior displacement in human evolution is often cited as evidence for the expansion of parietal association areas.

Thin-walled vessels (tubes) of the lymphatic system that are complementary to the cardiovascular system and are devoted to the movement of lymphatic fluid.

Specialized immune cells involved in the detection, phagocytosis and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms. In addition, they can also present antigens to T cells and initiate inflammation by releasing molecules.

An organism’s way of maintaining its body and physiological homeostasis while also defending against parasites, pathogens, and internal crises (e.g. cancer).

A set of closely linked polymorphic genes that code for cell surface proteins (MHC molecules) that assist the adaptive immune system in detection of foreign molecules.

An infectious disease that affects humans and other animals and caused by single-celled organisms belonging to genus Plasmodium and transmitted by mosquitos (commonly female Anopheles mosquitos). Initial symptoms are flu-
like and may include headache, fever, shivering, joint pain, vomiting, anemia, jaundice, hemoglobin in the urine, retinal damage, and convulsions. The classic symptom of malaria is a cyclical occurrence of sudden coldness and shivering and then fever and sweating. The disease is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the equator. In 2018, there were 228 million cases of malaria worldwide resulting in an estimated 405,000 deaths. The high levels of mortality caused by malaria has repeatedly placed selective pressure on the human genome, resulting in several genetic factors (including Sickle Cell Trait) that mediate its effect to some degree.

The geologic temperature record between 130,000-80,000 years ago.

The widespread and rapid loss of biodiversity. Five mass extinctions have been documented and human activity is causing the sixth.

The retention of exclusive reproductive access to a mate by attempting to restrict the access of others and discouraging the mate from seeking other sexual opportunities.

The portion of reproductive effort (time and energy invested) in the form of achieving matings (sexual access).

The term used to refer to (1) a group of indigenous languages spoken from Mexico to Honduras and El Salvador; (2) the people who speak those languages, considered as an ethnic group; (3) the archaeological culture of the ancestors of the contemporary speakers of Maya languages.

A commercial or homemade tool designed to assist or perform the actual piercing of the tissue.

A region of the brain located in the anterior part of the hypothalamus that critically regulates care giving behavior.

For most organisms, it is the pigment in skin and hair, but is also found in the iris of the eye, the inner ear, and some parts of the brain. Melanin is produced as three basic types: eumelanin, pheomelanin, and neuromelanin. The melanin in the skin is produced by melanocytes, which exist across human populations in similar concentration in their skin. However, the melanocytes in some populations produce variable amounts of melanin. This variation is likely due to the melanin’s property to absorb and dissipate UV radiation, protecting skin from harmful damage. UV exposure is associated with increased risk of malignant melanoma, a cancer of melanocytes.

An inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

The time of life when female menstruation naturally and permanently ceases.

The regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.

A potent psychedelic found in the peyote cactus. Structurally similar to dopamine and norepinephrine and also activates serotonin receptors.

The middle of the three primary germ layers formed in embryonic development and develops into the muscles of the cardiac and skeletal systems, the skeleton and connective tissue, blood vessels and cells, and some other internal organs such as the kidneys and gonads.

A group of conditions that affect the body’s ability to process and use nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

The conversion of food into energy and the chemical building blocks for proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and glycans as well as the elimination of metabolic wastes.

The scientific study of the set of metabolites present within an organism, cell, or tissue.

The ethnic group that composed Aztec society in central Mexico during the 16th century CE.

The process of using systems biology to understand microbes and their environment.

Microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses, that are found in a particular environment.

A stone tool type consisting of small blades or points, called microliths, that were typically used in composite tools, such as an arrow point fastened to a haft. ~35 - 3 kya.

A single-stranded non-coding RNA that silences RNA and is involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.

The second subdivision of the Paleolithic, or Stone Age and consist of use of prepared cores (Levallois Technique) and hafted tools and weapons. ~300 kya -30 kya.

Derived from the Greek word for “imitation” and is used in three different senses:

1. The imitation of elements of the real world;
2. The showing or imitation of an action (as opposed to diegesis, or the telling of action in words);
3. Miming and other forms of imitative action (using facial expression, gesture, posture, and vocal sound) in communication without words, or even the representation to oneself of the stages of an action or process.

A proposed singular phase in hominid evolution in which maladaptive mortality salience and death anxiety were triggered by acquiring the capacity for Extended Theory of Mind, but were (in this one instance) tolerated by the simultaneous acquisition of Reality Denial in the same minds - allowing gene culture-evolution to fix both capacities in the resulting hominin lineage, at the neurobiological and genetic level.

A meditative practice centered around being present in the moment.

Membrane-bound cell organelles that generate most of the chemical energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), needed to power the cell’s biochemical reactions. Mitochondria are believed to be endosymbionts that were originally prokaryotic cells that became incorporated into eukaryotic organisms.