CARTA Glossary

The oldest known stone tools consisting of 150 artifacts found in Lomekwi, Kenya, close to Lake Turkana. ~3.3 mya.

Typical length of life.

The part of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and menstruation.

A substance required in relatively large amounts by living organisms: Fats, proteins, carbohydrates in an animal diet or chemical elements such as potassium, magnesium, calcium as required by plants.

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.

An experimental paradigm in which the experimenter separates a mother rat or mouse from her offspring for some period of time (minutes to hours) to study the effects of maternal deprivation on offspring development.

A protein kinase, which in humans is encoded by the MTOR gene.

A special type of GABAergic inhibitory cell representing 95% of neurons within the human striatum, a basal ganglia structure.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.

A bacterium that can cause meningitis and meningococcemia, a life-threatening infection in the bloodstream (sepsis).

Relating to monthly ovulation or menses.

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

The rate at which fuels (such as sugars or fats) are broken down for the production of cellular energy.

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.

The phenomenon whereby one organism produces molecules that are identical or very similar to those of another organism (such as its host). Parasites and pathogens repeatedly evolve molecular mimicry for host manipulation and immune evasion.

A simple sugar; the most basic unit of a carbohydrate.

The shape or form (outward appearance) of an organism. The branch of biology interested in the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features.

Conscious understanding and realization of personal mortality.

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.

An auditory form of art composed of pitch (melody and harmony), rhythm (tempo, meter, articulation), dynamics (loudness/softness), timbre and texture.

Change in a DNA or RNA sequence.

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.

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.

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 and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

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.

The study of the morphology, behavior, and other qualities of the nervous system.

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.