CARTA Glossary

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.

A flowering plant of the Asparagaceae family that is native to Mexico and the United States (Texas). It is commonly used for ornamentation in arid climates due to its drought tolerance, in cuisine and distilling (tequila), as medicine, and to make ropes, nets, bags, cloth, and paper.

A severe and persistent low mood, profound sadness, or a sense of despair lasting at least two weeks but usually much longer.

A genotypic or phenotypic trait that is (or has become) more harmful than helpful in determining survival and reproductive success (in contrast to an adaptation, which is more helpful than harmful).

A cancerous growth capable of invading normal tissues and growing in otherwise hostile environments.

The soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones that produces red and white blood cells and platelets.

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.

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

Any substance produced during metabolism.

A biological process in which a methyl group (CH₃) is added to a molecule, typically to DNA, proteins, or other cellular structures. In the context of DNA, DNA methylation refers to the addition of a methyl group to the DNA molecule, usually at cytosine bases in a CpG dinucleotide. This modification can regulate gene expression by turning genes on or off without changing the underlying DNA sequence, and it plays a key role in processes like development, aging, and disease. Methylation patterns can be inherited or influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle.

A microorganism, especially a bacterium causing disease or fermentation.

The totality of all organisms (microbes) that live on and in the body.

A type of glia that functions as the primary innate immune cells of the central nervous system and are involved in brain development and maintenance. These cells are not of neuronal origin but rather migrate from the yolk sac to the brain during embryogenesis.

A chemical element or substance required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms that the organism cannot synthesize itself. 

A contagious and sometimes fatal viral respiratory sickness that can produce severe symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and in some cases death. The MERS virus originated in bats and was first reported affecting other species, camels and humans, in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Since then, it has been identified in many other countries, including the United States.
 

A period of geological time (781-126,000 years ago). An important time for the diversification of hominins, including the emergence of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.

The element of an individual that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought. 

The state of being conscious or aware.

Fossils or fossil fragments of bacteria, protists, fungi, animals, and plants (e.g.: starch granules) that can only be seen with a microscope.

Maternally inherited DNA found only in the mitochondria, the energy producing organelles of eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria are thought to descend from symbiotic bacteria that have become part of eukaryotic cells.

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 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.

The part of the cerebral cortex in the brain where the nerve impulses originate that initiate voluntary muscular activity.

The part of the nervous system that controls voluntary movement.

A stone tool type characterized by hand- axes, scrapers, triangle points, and denticulates (a stone tool with edges of multiple notched shapes, or teeth) produced using a prepared core (i.e. Levallois Technique) and is most associated with Neanderthals. ~315 - 30 kya.

The condition of being composed of more than one cell, with cells that are specialized and cooperate to perform different functions within an organism.

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.

An abbreviation for “millions of years ago.”

An insulating layer of fatty tissue (wrapped cell membrane) that protects nerve cells, especially their axons.

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.