CARTA Glossary

The pathogenic bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

Untrue stories that both the teller and listener usually believe to be true.

A common variant of sialic acid in many vertebrates that is not made by humans but can be incorporated from diets rich in red meat.

The factual or fictional representation of a coherent particular sequence of events, usually involving some agency and purpose.

A type of antibody that exists in the absence of active immunization via infection and/or contact with fetal antigens during pregnancy as a first line of defense until a specific antibody response is mounted.

A response or behavior that is strengthened by stopping, removing, or avoiding a negative outcome or aversive stimulus.

A part of the cerebral cortex concerned with sight, hearing, and touch in mammals, regarded as the most recently evolved part of the cortex.

The new growth of cells proliferating without regard to stop signals and with attendant new blood vessels that forms a neoplasm.

The delay or slowing of development. Compared to other primates, humans are considered neotenous due to the retention of physiological traits typical of juveniles such as facial features (globular skull shape, thinness of skull bones, reduction of browridge, flattened face, larger eyes), limb length ratio, and behavior.

The network of nerve cells, fibers, and associated glia cells that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

A neural circuit is a functional entity of interconnected neurons that is able to regulate its own activity using a feedback loop.

A self-renewing, multipotent cell that generates the neurons and glia of the nervous system of all animals during embryonic development. Some persist in the adult vertebrate brain and continue to produce neurons throughout life.

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.

A hormone and neurotransmitter that mobilizes the brain and body for action.

New or innovative therapies, medications, or medical procedures that have been developed to address health conditions or diseases. These treatments are typically characterized by their uniqueness, often offering new mechanisms of action, improved effectiveness, or fewer side effects compared to existing options. Novel treatments may emerge from advancements in medical research, technology, or scientific understanding.

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.

Glycosylamines corresponding to nucleotides lacking a phosphate.

Exact symbolic quantifier that designates the cardinality of a collection of objects. It is abstract (i.e., it transcends perceptual modalities), relational, and operable. In its most prototypical case it is associated with the familiar counting sequence ‘1, 2, 3, . . . ’

A scale of measurement for evaluating the numerousness of stimuli (e.g., a collection of discriminable objects) utilized especially by psychophysicists in the mid-20th century, and by means of which an experimenter establishes the cardinal attribute of physical collections of objects.

Excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. Defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher. Obesity rates in the US have reached 42%, up 12% in the last 10 years.

A type of igneous rock occurring as a natural glass formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava from volcanoes. Sometimes called “volcanic glass.”

The ratio between the odds of individuals having a phenotype associated with a specific allele and the odds of the same phenotype for individuals who do not have that same allele. 

A 48km ravine in the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania that was occupied by hominins such as Homo habilis (1.9 mya) and Zinjanthropus (Australopithecus) boisei (1.8 mya). Today, Oldupai Gorge is an important paleoanthropological site and has been under excavation since 1913, most famously by Mary and Louis Leakey. “Oldupai” is the Maasai word for “the place of the wild sisal.”

A type of neuroglia that supports and insulates axons in the central nervous system of some vertebrates.

An organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet of plant, animal, and fungal origin.

The origin and development of an organism (from fertilization of the egg to the organism’s mature form). Can also refer to the study of an organism’s lifespan.

The ratio of fertile males to fertile females that are ready to mate.

A biological technique that involves the use of light to control gene expression and cellular function in living tissue, typically neurons, that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.

Genes that are found in different species that evolved from a common ancestral gene and typically retain the same function.

A minority ethnic group of central Mexico during the 16th century CE.

Found in the outer subventricular zone of the neocortex, outer radial glia preferentially express genes related to extracellular matrix formation, migration, and stemness.

The timepoint of the menstrual cycle involving the release of an egg from an ovary.

A peptide hormone made by the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland, from which it is released into the blood stream. Oxytocin has many physiological and behavioral functions. It is considered “the love hormone” due to its association with reproduction, social bonding, sexual behavior, childbirth, maternal bonding, and milk production. Oxytocin is also an anti-inflammatory and is associated with sociostasis and longevity.

The formation of long-lasting bonds between two individuals.

A broad prehistoric period during which stone was used to make tools and weapons and is synonymous with Stone Age. During the paleolithic, hunting and gathering (foraging) was the primary subsistence method. The period ended with a flourishing of culture, not only in the manufacture of new stone (and bone tools) and other innovations (such spear thrower, bow and arrow, eyed needle, fishing implements), but also the development of splendid cave art paintings and engravings. Subdivisions:

• Lower Paleolithic: ~3.4 million years ago (mya) - 300 thousand years ago (kya).
• Middle Paleolithic: Consists of use of prepared cores (i.e. Levallois Technique) and hafted tools and weapons. ~300 - 30 kya.
• Upper Paleolithic: Coincides with behavioral modernity and predates the advent of agriculture. Artifacts include finely crafted stone blades and bone and antler tools, such as harpoons and needles. ~50 - 10 kya.