CARTA Glossary

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.

An indigenous language spoken in the Mexican state of Oaxaca; The people who speak this language are considered an ethnic group.

A group of two or more atoms covalently bonded together to form the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.

A social or sexual practice where an individual has only one partner at a time. It can refer to both human relationships and the mating behavior of certain animal species.

The rate of disease in a population (as opposed to mortality, which is death rate).

The sub-discipline of linguistics concerned with the structure and parts of words (stems, root words, prefixes, and suffixes), how words are formed, and their relationship to other words in the same language. Parts of speech, intonation and stress, and contextual pronunciation and meaning are aspects of Morphology.

A change or mutation in a specific DNA sequence pattern (motif) that is recognized by DNA-binding proteins, such as transcription factors, enzymes, or regulatory elements.

A part of the nervous system that carries signals from the brain to skeletal muscle and smooth muscle.

A theory that proposes the brain pathways that control the learning and production of song and speech were derived from adjacent motor brain pathways.

A slimy or gooey substance (hydrated bio-gel) produced by mucous membranes and glands for to lubricate or protect the body. The substance we refer to as “snot” or “boogers” are the mucus inside your nose that traps dirt and germs before they can enter further into your body and do you harm. Sneezing expels these invaders from your body but also propels them out towards other unsuspecting victims.

A group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.

A natural, spontaneously developing sensitivity to, knowledge of, or talent for music based on and constrained by our biological and cognitive system, which is then culturally informed and reinforced.

An involuntary, permanent alteration of the body.

The pathogenic bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

An oxygen-binding protein found primarily in muscle cells that stores and facilitates the delivery of oxygen for use in muscle metabolism. It contains an iron-containing heme group, which gives muscle tissue its characteristic reddish color.

The most common sialic acid in most vertebrates and was first discovered in animal saliva and brains.

A burrowing rodent endemic to parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, and is the only mammal with cold-blooded-like body temperature regulation and eusocial behavior.

An archaeological culture of the Neolithic Levant dating to around 15,000 to 11,500 years ago that was sedentary or semi-sedentary prior to the introduction of agriculture.

An extinct Eurasian hominin species that existed from 500-30 kya and interbred with ancient humans and Denisovans.

The failure to provide for the development of the child in all spheres: health, education, emotional development, nutrition, shelter, and safe living conditions (including protecting the child from harm). It is the most common form of child maltreatment. In rodents, neglect it is similarly defined as inconsistent care, failure to group displaced infants in the nest, infant avoidance and failure to protect infants from harm or potential harm.

Meaning “new stone age,” it is an archaeological period representing the final division of the Stone Age in Europe, Asia, Mesopotamia, and Africa. The Neolithic dates between 10,000 and 2,000 BCE and encompasses the “neolithic revolution” in which farming, domestication, and permanent settlement began.

A tumor mass, either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer), that is composed of cells that have lost their regulatory checks and multiply without control or do not undergo pre-programmed cell death.

A bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs.

The specialized cells of the nervous system responsible for processing, transmitting, and responding to information in the form of electrical and chemical signals. They are the building blocks of the brain, spinal chord, and peripheral nerves.

Cells that are capable of dividing a limited number of times and have the capacity to differentiate into a restricted repertoire of neuronal and glial cell types.

A gene that encodes an RNA-binding protein primarily involved in regulating alternative splicing in neurons. NOVA1 is involved in early brain development and is implicated in autism and schizophrenia. Archaic variants of NOVA1 archealized into human brain organoids affect alternative splicing, synaptic protein interactions, and neural connectivity.

The progressive deterioration and loss of neurons in the central or peripheral nervous system, resulting in neurological dysfunction.

The interaction between the nervous system and the endocrine system, particularly how the brain regulates hormone production and secretion. The neuroendocrine system is responsible for regulating various physiological processes such as growth, metabolism, stress response, reproduction, and mood. It functions through a network of signals, where neurons release chemicals that influence hormone secretion, and hormones in turn affect brain function and behavior.

The study of the role of genetics in the development and function of the nervous system.

Relating to the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system.

A specialized cell that transmits nerve impulses and forms synapses with other cells.

The ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections through growth and reorganization. These changes include new neural connections and cortical remapping resulting from learning, environmental influences, practice, and psychological stress.

A multidisciplinary science that is concerned with the study of the structure and function of the nervous system. It encompasses the evolution, development, cellular and molecular biology, physiology, anatomy and pharmacology of the nervous system, as well as computational, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.

A chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other cells.

Not displaying or characterized by autistic or other neurologically atypical patterns of thought or behavior.

A family of proteins (transcription factors) crucial for regulating various biological processes, including immunity, inflammation, cell growth, and apoptosis, and is activated by diverse stimuli like cytokines and bacterial products.

A natural alkaloid and insecticide produced by several plant species (tobacco and jimson weed). It also functions as a central nervous system stimulant as an analog of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

A common chemical element with the atomic number 7. Most nitrogen on earth exists as inert gas (N₂).

Genetic changes, mutations or polymorphisms, that occur in regions of DNA that do not code for proteins. Non-coding variants include enhancers that can influence gene regulation, gene expression, and genome function without changing protein sequences.

The finding that care giving behavior can occur in female rats and mice that have not reproduced themselves through repeated exposure to infants.

Depression that is not related to changes in the seasons.