CARTA Glossary
Word | Definition | Related Vocabulary |
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Embryo |
The early stage of development for a multicellular organism. |
Multicellularity |
Embryogenesis |
The development of an embryo after fertilization of an egg cell. |
Embryo |
Embryonic stem cell (ESC) |
The inner cell mass of the human blastocyst, the rapidly dividing fertilized egg at four to seven days post fertilization. ESCs are pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into all cell types of the three embryonic tissue layers. |
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Enculturation |
The gradual acquisition of cultural traits (the characteristics and norms of a culture or group) by an individual or another culture. |
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Endangered species |
A species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either locally or worldwide. |
Species |
Endemic |
In epidemiology, an infection that is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a population in a geographic area without external inputs. |
Epidemiology, Infection |
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) |
Substances that interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system. These can be present in the environment (air, soil, or water supply), food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products. |
Endocrine system |
Endocrine system |
A hormonal system comprising internal glands, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal, that produce, store, and release hormones into the circulatory system to regulate the body’s healthy development and function. |
Hormone |
Endoderm |
The innermost of the three primary germ layers formed in embryonic development and develops into some of the body’s internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary tract, the respiratory tract, endocrine glands, and the auditory system. |
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Endometrial tissue |
The innermost lining layer of the uterus. Synonymous with endometrium. |
Endometrium |
Endometriosis |
A condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain. |
Endometrial tissue |
Endometrium |
The innermost lining layer of the uterus. Synonymous with endometrial tissue. |
Endometrial tissue |
Endothelia PAS Domain Protein 1 (EPAS1) gene |
A protein encoding gene for EPAS1. This gene is implicated in high altitude adaptation in humans, specifically in Tibetan populations that admixed with Denisovan archaic hominins and inherited this advantageous gene variant. |
Denisovans, Gene, Protein |
Endothelia PAS Domain Protein 1 (EPAS1) protein |
A transcription factor involved in the response to changes in oxygen concentration, such as hypoxia, through the induction of oxygen regulated genes. |
Hypoxia |
Endothelial cells |
The cell type that forms the interior lining of blood and lymphatic vessels, and controls the transfer of materials, including white blood cells, into and out of the bloodstream. |
Lymphatic vessels, White blood cells (WBCs) |
Enhancer |
Short region of DNA that can be bound by proteins to alter transcription of a gene. |
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Enveloped viruses |
Viruses that possess an outer lipid membrane formed by cell membrane of the host cells from which the virus buds. The envelope protects the virus as it travels between hosts and cells. |
Lipids, Virus |
Enzyme |
Proteins that catalyze chemical reactions inside and outside cells. |
Protein |
Epidemic |
The rapid spread of a disease to a significant percent of a given population. |
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Epidemiology |
The branch of medicine that studies and analyzes the incidence, distribution, patterns, determinants, and possible control of diseases and other health factors. |
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Epigenetic |
Biological information not encoded directly in DNA. |
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) |
Epigenetic regulation |
Processes that alter gene activity without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Primary mechanisms of epigenetic regulation include DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA. Epigenetic regulation is reversible and can be influence by environmental factors, lifestyle, and other external conditions. |
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), Histone Modification, Methylation, Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) |
Epigenetics |
A term first coined in 1942 by the developmental biologist, Conrad Waddington, to explain how a singular genotype might produce variations in phenotype across development. He argued that some level of regulation must exists “above” or “over” genes to determine when and where they are expressed. Today the term refers to stable alterations in gene expression without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. |
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), Genotype, Phenotype |
Epigenome |
Molecular modifications of the DNA and its associated histone proteins, affecting its function. |
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Epipaleolithic-Neolithic transformation (ENT) |
The cultural, social and economic transformation from Paleolithic mobile foraging peoples to Neolithic super-communities that became the first large-scale sedentary societies in southwest Asia. The transformation is marked by accelerating cultural and technical innovation, accompanied by large-scale demographic, cultural, social, and economic change. The ENT is seen as an inflection point in the rate of human cultural evolution, leading on to socio-economic and political inequality, urbanism, kingdoms and empires in the following millennia. |
Neolithic, Paleolithic |
Epithelial cells |
The cell type that lines the surfaces of the body, including skin, mucus membranes (airways, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract), urinary tract, and organs to provide protection. |
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Epithelial tissue |
1. A tissue consisting of one or more layers of compactly joined cells of various types and sizes that cover a surface or line a cavity. 2. Pertaining to or involving the outer layer of the skin. Also called epithelium. |
Epithelium |
Epithelium |
A type of tissue composed of tightly packed cells that line the surfaces of the body and its internal organs. It serves as a protective barrier, and in some cases, it also performs functions like absorption, secretion, and sensation. |
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Erythrocytes (red blood cells - RBCs) |
The most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate’s principal means of oxygen delivery from lungs or gills to all tissues of the body. Erythrocytes of most mammals do not contain a nucleus with chromosomes. |
Chromosome |
Estradiol |
An estrogen steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone that is involved in the regulation of reproductive cycles, the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, the development and maintenance of female reproductive tissues, and has important effects on bone, fat, skin, liver, and the brain. Estradiol also has important roles in males, but is produced in much lower levels. |
Estrogen, Hormone, Sex hormones, Steroid |
Estrogen |
The category of sex hormones that includes estrone, estradiol, and estriol that are involved in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. Estrogen is the precursor to testosterone. |
Estradiol, Sex hormones, Testosterone |
Estrus (or Oestrus) |
Cyclical periods of sexual receptivity and fertility. From the Greek word, oistros, for “gadfly/horsefly,” with the additional meaning of “frenzy.” |
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Ethnographic analogy |
A methodological and analytical process by archaeologists for reconstructing features of a prehistoric society and culture that leaves no direct archaeological imprint. |
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Ethnology |
The practice of comparing and contrasting the features of multiple ethnohistorically-documented human societies. |
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Etomidate |
An intravenous agent used for general anesthesia and sedation for short procedures that suppresses corticosteroid synthesis. |
Corticosteroids, General anesthesia |
Euchromatin |
Open chromatin, allowing information to be read. |
Chromatin |
Eukaryotes |
Organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes. |
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Eumelanin |
The most common type of melanin found in human skin and hair. There are two types, brown eumelanin and black eumelanin, which are involved in pigmentation. Deficiency causes albinism. |
Melanin |
Eusociality |
A form of social structure featuring cooperative brood care, overlapping generations of adults, and a reproductive and non-reproductive division of labor. Eusociality is observed in ants, bees, wasps, termites, the naked mole-rats, and some shrimp. Humans may engage in a weak form of eusociality but this is still debated. |
Naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) |
Eutrophication |
Excess nutrient accumulation in bodies of water that cause phytoplankton. |
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EvoDevoSocio (Evolution/Development/Society) |
The EvoDevo approach stresses that evolution yields biological mechanisms for both development and adult function of members of a species. The EvoDevoSocio framework adds that development is shaped not only by the genome but also by the physical and (especially in humans) the social environment in which the individual develops. To close the loop, humans in turn shape the environment and so cultural evolution has played a crucial role in changing the social, physical and increasingly symbolic and technological environments in which most humans now develop. |
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Evolution |
The process by which populations change over time through random variation and natural selection. Evolution occurs at the level of populations, not individuals, and involves genetic changes that are passed down through generations. |
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Evolutionary Medicine |
The application of modern evolutionary theory to understanding health and disease. |
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Evolutionary mismatch |
A situation where an organism’s evolved traits, once advantageous, become maladaptive due to rapid environmental changes, leading to potential health problems or challenges in modern life. |
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Evolutionary neuroscience |
The study of the evolution and natural history of nervous system structure, functions, and emergent properties. |
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Evolutionary psychology |
A theoretical approach to psychology that seeks evolutionary connections to human psychological traits such as cognition and language. |
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Evron Quarry, Israel |
An archaeological site in Western Galilee, Israel, with evidence for hominin occupation up to 1 million years ago and tools and fire use dating to around 800,000 years ago. |
Hominin |
Excision |
The cutting and removal of some of the tissues of the female genitalia (clitoral glans and labia minora). Excision is more extensive than clitoridectomy. Also called Type 2 female genital modification and is another term for ‘female circumcision.’ |
Clitoridectomy, Female Genital Modification (FGM) |
Excitatory neurotransmitter |
A chemical messenger that increases the likelihood that the neuron will fire an electrical signal (depolarization of the membrane) called an action potential. |
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Exon |
Sequences at a locus that encode parts of a protein. |
Introns, Locus, Protein |
Exosome |
A type of extracellular vesicle that contain constituents (protein, DNA, and RNA) of the cells that secrete them. They are taken up by distant cells, where they can affect cell function and behavior. |
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), Protein, Ribonucleic acid (RNA) |
Exposome |
A term used to describe the totality of environmental exposures that an individual experiences throughout their lifetime, from conception to death. |
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Extended amygdala |
A paired macrostructure in the brain that is involved in reward cognition. |
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Extracellular matrix |
The structural network of enzymes, glycoproteins, and collagen that support surrounding cells. |
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Falciparum Malaria |
Human-specific (malignant) malaria caused by the protozoan parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. |
Plasmodium |
Falémé Valley |
Eastern Senegal. Excavations have led to the the discovery of paleolithic occupations from different periods, cultures, and lithic technologies. |
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False Beliefs |
The ability to recognize that others can have beliefs about the world that are diverging. An important component of Theory of Mind. |
Theory of Mind (ToM) |
Fascia |
A fibrous connective tissue forming a membrane that covers, supports, and separates muscles. Fascia also unites the skin with underlying tissue. |
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Father |
A male parent, typically referring to the biological or legal male figure who contributes to the creation and/ or upbringing of a child. The term “father” can also be used more broadly to describe a paternal figure in various cultural, religious, or metaphorical contexts, such as the “father” of a nation or a profession. |
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Father uncertainty |
The lack of surety that a male is the biological father of a child. This uncertainty can arise in various social and biological contexts, especially when there are questions about sexual fidelity. Synonymous with paternal confidence. |
Paternity confidence |
Fatty Acid |
A molecule composed of a long chain of lipid-carboxylic acid, which is either saturated (single bonds between the components of the fatty acid chain) or unsaturated (at least one double bond within the fatty acid chain). |
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Fecundability |
The probability of achieving a pregnancy within a mentrsual cycle. |
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Female Genital Cosmetic Surgeries (FGCS) |
Medical plastic surgery of the female genitalia, such as labiaplasty. |
Labiaplasty |
Female Genital Modification (FGM) |
A collective term for all non-medically indicated procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. |
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Female- vs. male -biased fertile sex ratios |
The relative numbers of individuals capable of having children. In female-biased situations, males face less competition for mating opportunities. In male-biased situations, these opportunities are lower, thus greater male-male competition for each one. |
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Fiction |
Any story where the teller and the listener both know it is untrue and is also not meant to be taken as true. Fiction can be distinguished from true narratives, as well as from myth, lies, mistakes, and unwitting falsehoods. Fiction includes most drama, feature films, comics, and poetry that tells invented stories as well as novels and short stories. But not all fictions need be narratives. |
Lies, Myth, Narrative, Story, Unwitting falsehood |
Fistula (in body piercing) |
The tunnel of epithelial tissue that surrounds a healed piercing channel. |
Piercing |
Fitness (Darwinian) |
The relative likelihood that an allele will be represented in future generations (relative to other alleles in the same population). Compare with Reproductive Success. |
Reproductive Success |
Fixed Alleles |
Replaced all other alleles in a population. |
Polymorphism |
Flora |
Microorganisms including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi that are found on or in specific areas of the body. |
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Folklore |
Stories, sayings, dances, material culture, and other customs shared by a group of people. |
Story |
Follicular phase |
The first part of the menstrual cycle, including menstruation and the period prior to ovulation. |
Menstrual cycle, Ovulation |
Fomite |
An inanimate object or substance that is capable of transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another. |
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Food abundance | A situation in which food is plentiful and easily available in a particular area, region, or society. | |
Footfall |
The point in time when a foot (or hand in the forelimb) first touches the ground. |
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Footfall sequence |
The distribution of footsteps, relative to one another; some gaits may be defined by footfall sequence. |
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Foraging |
Searching for wild food or provisions as opposed to cultivating food crops or breeding livestock. |
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Fore limb |
The front limbs and feet of a quadrupedal animal (also, the upper limbs/arms of a human). |
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Foregut fermentation |
A digestive process in which plant materials are fermented in a specialized combination of stomach compartments together called the reticulorumen. In ruminants, the fermented cud of the reticulorumen is regurgitated and chewed again to further break down the plant material, a process called rumination. After rumination, the food is finally digested in other stomach compartments, the omasum and abomsum (true stomach). Foregut fermentation also exists in some species that do not ruminate, such as leaf monkeys. |
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Fos |
A protein that is rapidly synthesized in neurons when they become active and therefore is used as a marker of neuron activity and is involved in regulating gene expression. |
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FOXP2 | A gene in humans that encodes for a transcription factor protein and is involved in the production of speech. | |
Fragmented Maternal Care |
A measure of abnormal mothering in rodents. Fragmentation score reflects disruptions in the temporal pattern of care typically displayed by rodents. High fragmentation scores indicate shorter nursing bouts and generally erratic behavior. |
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Freehand piercing |
The act of piercing without the use of forceps. |
Piercing |
Frontal lobe (brain) |
The largest of the four major lobes of the brain in mammals, and is located at the front of each hemisphere. It is devoted to action such as skeletal movement, ocular movement, speech control, the expression of emotions. In humans, the largest part of the frontal cortex is the prefrontal cortex. |
Pre-frontal cortex (brain) |
Frontoparietal Networks |
Human frontal and parietal lobes form a network that is crucially involved in the selection of sensory contents by attention. |
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Functional DNA |
Encodes biological information. |
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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) |
A neuroimaging technique for measuring and mapping brain activity that is noninvasive and safe. The phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is used to generate a signal that can be mapped and turned into an image of brain activity. |
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Funeral |
Intentional, ritualistic disposal of the deceased. May include behaviors such as placement of grave goods (artefacts and/or natural materials such as flowers) and positioning of interred body(ies). |
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GABA receptors |
A class of membrane proteins that act as receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA and are mostly found on inhibitory neurons. |
Neurotransmitter |
Gait |
How a person or animal moves; different categories of movement are different gaits (e.g. a run vs. a walk, a trot vs. a gallop). |
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Galago |
A number of species of prosimians that are small, nocturnal, and native to continental Africa. Also known as bushbabies. Galagos often nest in tree hollows during the day. Chimpanzees have been observed hunting with “spears” for nested galagos, and they are also hunted by Hadza hunter-gatherers. |
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Gametes |
Mature haploid sex cells that can unite to form a diploid zygote. |
Diploid, Haploid |
Gardnerella |
A genus of Gram-variable-staining facultative anaerobic bacteria of which Gardnerella vaginalis is the only species. |
Gardnerella vaginalis, Genus, Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Staining |
Gardnerella vaginalis |
A facultatively anaerobic Gram-variable rod that is involved, together with many other bacteria, in bacterial vaginosis in some women as a result of a disruption in the normal vaginal microflora. |
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Staining |
Gastroenteritis |
Inflammation of the stomach and small intestine typically caused by a virus, but can also be caused by bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. |
Bacteria, Inflammation, Parasite, Virus |
GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) |
A gene that encodes a protein in the GATA family of transcription factors. GATA3 plays an important role in endothelial cell biology and in allergy and immunity against worm infections. In humans, defects in GATA3 cause hypoparathyroidism with sensorineural deafness and renal dysplasia. |
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Gauge |
1. A standard of dimensions or measurement – in body jewelry, the thickness. 2. Slang for the act of “stretching” a piercing. |
Piercing, Stretching |
Gauges |
Slang term for body jewelry, especially plugs or tunnels worn in stretched ear piercings. |
Body jewelry, Piercing |
Gauging |
A slang term for stretching a piercing |
Piercing, Stretching |
Gene |
A DNA sequence which encodes a specific function. |
DNA sequence |