- Aug 2019
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high-fructose corn syrup
A sweetener made from corn starch. It contains a mixture of glucose and fructose molecules which taste the same and have the same calories, though they are processed differently in the body.
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tumorigenesis
formation of cancerous clusters of cells (tumors), where cell growth is uncontrolled
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AMP deaminase (AMPD2)
define
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tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Tandem means having two in a row. and mass spectrometry is a method used to analyze samples to look at chemical makeup by looking at charge-to-mass signatures of individual atoms in a sample. Putting two mass spectrometers in a row increases the sensitivity of this method so that ions that are close in mass can be told apart. A great analogy and explanation can be found in this Youtube video.
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distal
adjective; far from the center. The end-most part of the intestines.
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radiolabeled
define
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ad libitum
adverb; as much as desired. The authors put high-fructose corn syrup in water for the mice to drink as much as they wanted.
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myriad
Noun; large and diverse amount of
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Define APC
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Langley
Samuel Pierpont Langley (1834-1906) was an American astronomer, physicist and inventor. His research on solar and lunar radiation greatly influenced Arrhenius.
Arrhenius used data from Langley's 1890 publication "The Temperature of the Moon" as the basis for his model.
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Fourier
Joseph Fourier (1768-1830) was a French scientist and mathematician who studied heat transfer. He theorized that Earth's atmosphere could act as a thermal insulator by absorbing heat (radiation) emitted by Earth's surface.
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Professor Högbom
Arvid Hogbom (1857-1940), a Swedish geologist, was a colleague of Arrhenius, a professor at Stockholm University and a member of the Physical Society.
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transparency of the atmosphere
De Marchi seems to refer to the ability of the atmosphere to let through all wavelengths of radiation. He probably focused on the ability of water vapor in clouds to reflect incoming solar radiation, reducing how much solar energy reaches Earth's surface.
When Arrhenius discusses transparency in relation to his model, he focuses on the ability of water vapor to absorb infrared radiation and re-emit it back toward Earth's surface.
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L. De Marchi
Luigi De Marchi was an Italian meteorologist. The work quoted here is from his prize-winning essay for a competition on the causes of the Ice Age.
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eccentricity
A measure of the shape of an ellipse, how far it is flattened from a circular shape. An orbit with low eccentricity is almost circular, whereas an orbit with high eccentricity is highly elliptical.
Items 3, 5 and 9 in De Marchi's list make up the Milankovitch Cycles, which affect how much energy Earth receives from the Sun and how that energy is distributed over the globe.
For more information, see this resource from Climatica: http://climatica.org.uk/climate-science-information/long-term-climate-change-milankovitch-cycles
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The position of the equinoxes.
Also called "precession", this refers to the orientation of Earth's rotational axis relative to its position in its orbit around the Sun.
Items 3, 5 and 9 in De Marchi's list make up the Milankovitch Cycles, which affect how much energy Earth receives from the Sun and how that energy is distributed over the globe.
For more information, see this resource from Climatica: http://climatica.org.uk/climate-science-information/long-term-climate-change-milankovitch-cycles
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The obliquity of the earth's axis to the ecliptic.
The tilt of Earth's rotational axis relative to the plane of its orbit around the Sun.
Items 3, 5 and 9 in De Marchi's list make up the Milankovitch Cycles, which affect how much energy Earth receives from the Sun and how that energy is distributed over the globe.
For more information, see this resource from Climatica: http://climatica.org.uk/climate-science-information/long-term-climate-change-milankovitch-cycles
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diminution
lowering
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A fortiori
even more
This is a Latin phrase which translates as "from the stronger". Here, Arrhenius uses it to indicate that the remainder of the sentence presents an even stronger argument than the previous sentence.
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untenable
unsupportable
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viz.
namely; in other words
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- Jul 2019
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differentially expressed genes (DEGs)
Differentially expressed genes are ones that have higher expression in one condition versus another.
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bulk sequencing
In this context, bulk sequencing refers to the analysis of whole tissue, as opposed to single cells or nuclei.
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protoplasmic astrocytes
Protoplasmic astrocytes are a subset of astrocytes that are located in the gray matter (which consists mostly of cell bodies) in the brain. They have many complex processes that can contact blood vessels and neurons.
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unbiased clustering
Unbiased clustering is a statistical approach to make sense of large sets of data. It allows scientists to group together ("cluster") genes that are similar to one another.
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astrocytes
Astrocytes, like microglia, are cells that facilitate neuronal functions. They mediate neuronal signaling, support the blood brain barrier, and help respond to sites of trauma.
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interneurons
Interneurons are neurons that act as an intermediate between two other neurons.
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upper-layer excitatory neurons
Upper-layer refers to where in the cortex these neurons are located.
Excitatory neurons are neurons which increases the activity of the cells it's connected to.
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RNA integrity number
The RNA integrity number, or RIN, is an index of RNA quality. RNA can sometimes be degraded when it is isolated, so this is a useful way to see if the RNA is still reliable.
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postmortem interval
The postmortem interval is the time between when an individual died and when the tissue was prepared.
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anterior cingulate cortex
The anterior cingulate cortex is the part of the brain associated with higher level functions such as emotion, empathy, and decision making.
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prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex is an area at the front of the brain. It is associated with social behavior, decision making, and personality.
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cortico-cortical projection neurons
Cortico-cortical projection neurons are cortical neurons which project (or connect to) other cortical neurons.
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microglia
Microglia are "helper cells" in the brain. They help mediate neuron responses, clear out dead cells, and control immune responses.
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synaptic signaling
Synaptic signaling refers to how neurons communicate with one another.
A projection called an axon from the pre-synaptic neuron touches or "synapses on" the dendritic projections of the post-synaptic neuron. Chemicals called neurotransmitters are released from the pre-synaptic neuron and mediate responses in the post-synaptic neuron.
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transcriptomic
The transcriptome refers to the total set of RNA transcribed from DNA.
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single-nucleus RNA sequencing
In single-nucleus RNA sequencing, the nucleus (which contains DNA and nascently transcribed RNA) is isolated from a single cell. The isolated RNA undergoes RNA-sequencing, in which the RNA is broken up into fragments. Using a database, these fragments are then aligned to specific transcripts.
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neocortex
The neocortex is the part of the brain that in humans is associated with higher level functions such as cognition and language.
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genetic heterogeneity of autism
Genetic heterogeneity refers to the ability of a phenotype (in this case, autism) to manifest via genetic mutations in multiple different loci. This means that there isn't one single genetic mutation that's associated with autism.
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Knowledge gained from material sense is figuratively represented in Scripture as a tree, bearing the fruits of Knowledge and Truthsin, sickness, and death.
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downstream processing
Refers to the process of separating desired products from biosynthetic pathways
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chiral reagents
Any reagent that exhibits chirality (or asymmetry) in its molecular structure
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naphthalenes
compounds that contain two fused benzene rings; also referred to as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
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aryl halides
organic compounds that contain a halogen connected to a benzene ring
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adventitious “active site”
an active site created by chance rather than by design
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Met
The amnio acid, methionine
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proximal
located at a closer distance
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hydrophobic
repels or has no affinity towards water
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functionally conserved
relatively unchanged when one goes back in genealogical time
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thermohalophilic
An organism that thrives in extreme high temperature and high salt concentrations
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enantioinduction
Enantioinduction is also popularly known as asymmetric induction. This process is the preferential formation of one enantiomer over the other as a result of the influence of a chiral feature present in reactants or the catalyst.
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biocompatible
not harmful to living cells
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organosilicon
Compounds that contain carbon-silicon bonds
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enantiopure
A compound available in one enantiomeric form
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chemo- and enantioselectivity
Chemoselectivity is the preferential reaction of a reagent with a specific functional group over others. Enantioselectivity is the extent to which one enantiomer is formed over the other in a chemical reaction.
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catalyze
speed up a reaction with the use of external agent, typically a chemical compound
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- Jun 2019
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recitation
A meeting of a subset of students from a larger lecture course in which students can ask questions, get clarification on lecture topics, and may solve additional problems or take quizzes (typically required with very large college courses).
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effect size
Statistical measure of the strength of the relationship between two variables.
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gender gap
Another term for the "gender achievement gap" in which men outperform women in the same field.
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lucrative
High-paying.
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conceptual mastery
Understanding the main ideas that make up the field.
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interactive techniques
Activities in which the student participates (as opposed to passively listening to a lecture).
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curricular materials
Educational resources that can be incorporated into a teacher's lessons.
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context-rich problems
Short scenarios that give the student a real-world situation in which to apply their knowledge.
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fear of being devalued based on a group identity
Stereotype threat or identity threat.
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evaluative stress
Fear and anxiety caused by the thought of having to take an exam.
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pedagogical
Related to teaching.
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control group
The subjects that do not receive treatment.
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self-relevant
Related to an individual's sense of identity.
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cumulative exam
Test on all material covered during the course.
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distribution
The frequency of occurrence of some measure (for example: how many students got As, Bs, Cs, Ds, and Fs).
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SOM
Supporting Online Materials (typically located at the end of the article).
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significant
The result deviates from that expected to arise by chance (from random variation or errors in sampling).
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psychological intervention
Any activity used to modify behavior, emotional state, or feelings.
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gender achievement gap
The difference in test scores, course performance, and job prospects between people of different genders.
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instructional methods
How course material is taught, such as through context-rich problems or curricular materials.
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cognitive
Perception, attention, learning, memory, and problem solving.
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theoretically motivated
Based on a hypothesis that may have been supported in laboratory experiments, but has not yet been shown to work in practice.
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replicated
Repeating a scientific experiment and finding the same results.
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resulting in a significant gender × condition interaction
Interaction effects occur when the effect of one variable depends on another variable.
In this case, the effect of the intervention (values affirmation or control) depended on the student gender (male or female).
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discipline
A specific branch of knowledge, such as physics or biology.
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z scores
A z-score is a measure of the number of standard deviations above or below the average score a raw, individual score is. The higher the z-score, the more different a data point is from the average.
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continuous
Continuous variables have an infinite number of possible values. This is in contrast to categorical variables, which have a discrete number of defined values (for example, in this study "man" or "woman" for gender).
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SD
Standard deviation, a measure of the amount of variation in data.
It can be used to quantify how far an individual's data is from the average of a data set.
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negative relation
A condition in which when the value of one variable goes up (endorsement of the gender stereotype), the value of the other variable goes down (exam scores).
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as a function of
A function defines one variable in terms of another. Here, the more strongly a woman in the control group endorsed the gender stereotype, the lower her exam scores were.
Defining y "as a function of" x means that y varies based on the level of x.
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χ2
Chi-squared, a test which tells whether there is a statistically significant difference between the distribution of two categorical variables (for example, gender).
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SE
Refers to standard error, which is a measure of how far away the mean of your data is likely to be from the true mean of the population.
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P
The P value is a measure of how likely it is that your null hypothesis (that values affirmation has no effect) is true.
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outcome measure
Tools used to assess a subject's performance.
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condition
Assigned group, either the intervention group or the control group. In this case, the control group contained students who did not participate in the values affirmation intervention.
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social-psychological
Effects that result from interactions within groups, and between both groups and individuals.
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randomized
Participants are randomly assigned to different test conditions.
In this case, participants are equally likely to end up in the control group and the values affirmation test group.
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interaction release
In response to lack of food and increased populations, animals broaden the scope of species they interact with beyond their original interactions.
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frugivores
An animal that eats primarily fruit
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interaction dissimilarity
When the behavior between species in one area differs from the behaviors between species in another location.
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novel interactions
A new relationship or pattern of behavior between plants and animals.
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binary
Binary calculations are a straightforward form of measurement that states the presence or absence of an interaction.
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biotic factors
Living parts of an ecosystem, in this case, invasive species on the island
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chlorisondamine
A drug that blocks the binding of acetylcholine to its nicotinic receptors.
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neurogenesis
Formation of new neurons.
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autoreceptors
Referring to a case where the neurotransmitter and the receptors are present on the same cell. The released neurotransmitter binds to the receptor on the same cell.
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morphometric analysis
A quantitative measurement of a neuron size, shape, or density.
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petrosal and nodose neurons
Brain cells in a group of nerves found at the base of the skull. The nodose and petrosal neurons are part of the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves, respectively.
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unmanipulated
No change; unaltered.
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nicotinic receptors
These are receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.
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methylates
Introduces a methyl (CH<sub>3</sub>) group. Here, PNMT adds a CH<sub>3</sub> group onto norepinephrine creating epinephrine (also known as adrenaline).
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pituitary-adrenal axis
Refers to the connections and interactions between the pituitary gland and adrenal glands.
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caudal thoracic
Situated in the tail part of the body.
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progenitors
Precursors.
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tetrodotoxin
Sodium channel blocker. It blocks the influx of sodium into the cell.
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influx
Act of flowing in.
Example: An influx of tourists was observed over the holidays.
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catecholaminergic
Refers to the cell group that releases one of the neurotransmitters, dopamine or norepinephrine.
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tyrosine hydroxylase
An enzyme responsible for the conversion of tyrosine (an amino acid) to dopamine, a neurotransmitter.
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quantitative
Refers to the measurement of quantities, a countable amount of something. For example: A baby weighs 7 pounds and 4 ounces.
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qualitative
Refers to the measurement of qualities, a describable trait of something. For example: The girl has brown eyes.
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phenotype
Here, referring to the physical characteristics of the neurons.
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peptide putative transmitters
Widely accepted class of neurotransmitters.
Read more about the different neurotransmitters here.
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Neurotransmitters
A chemical that is released by brain cells called neurons. These chemicals aid in communication or passing messages between neurons.
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veratridine
Drug that increases the influx of sodium into the cell.
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mutability
The ability to change.
For example, think of a caterpillar, which has the ability to change to butterfly.
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thermoregulation
Maintaining the body’s temperature within the normal limits.
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basal
Normal or minimum level.
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translational
Research that can be useful to prevent or treat disease
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developmental
Relating to the growth of the individual.
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subsequent
Following.
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cocaine-induced
The response prompted by cocaine.
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nicotine-induced
Response prompted by nicotine.
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risk
Prone to; susceptible.
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pretreatment
Treatment received prior to something in advance
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assessed
Evaluate; measure.
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administered
Given.
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prompted
Pushed; urged; required.
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diminished
Reduced.
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endpoints
Outcome
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long-term synaptic potentiation
Strengthening of synapses between neurons
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prenatal
before birth; during pregnancy
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phenocopied
mimicked; acted similarly
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transient
only for a short time
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baseline
normal
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facilitation
help; make the process easy
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variant
modified
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ERK/MAPK
signaling pathways that help in gene regulation
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phosphorylates
adding phosphate residues
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concurrent
happening at the same time
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Hypoacetylated
not enough acetylation
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deacetylase
removal of acetyl groups
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hyperacetylation
increase or excessive acetylation
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promoter
DNA sequences that define where the transcription should start in a gene
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disinhibits
restrain
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simulate
prompt or trigger
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psychostimulants
drugs that cause an increased behavioral or motor response
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robust
widely used
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behavioral paradigm
a model designed to perform behavioral experiments
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acetylation
Process by which acetyl groups are added to preferred residues in a protein.
For instance, acetyl groups are added to lysine residues in a protein structure
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histone
components of chromatin that helps in gene regulation
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chromatin
DNA + histone
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FosB
it is one of the transcription factors that help in gene expression
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transcription
the process by which a copy of genetic information is made from DNA to RNA
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synaptic
A synapse is a space between the neurons that allows passage of electric or chemical signals between the neurons.
Anything that occurs between synapses is referred to as synaptic
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plasticity
the ability of the neurons (brain cells) to change and learn new things by changing their synaptic strength
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spiny neurons
Medium sized neurons that have dendritic branches
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inhibitory
slowing down, hold back, restrain, negatively affecting a response
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GABAergic
neurons that contain inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA
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prefrontal cortex
Part of the frontal cortex in the brain. Its function includes planning, organization, and decision making
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amygdala
A brain region present in the temporal lobe. It is almond In shape. It plays an important role in emotions.
Eg. When we see a lion, we immediately run due to fear. The fear response is due to the amygdala.
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ventral tegmental area
A brain region in the midbrain. Serves as a center for the origin of dopaminergic neurons
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glutamatergic
neurons that can modulate (or alter or modify) the neurotransmitter, glutamate. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter
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dopaminergic
neurons that contain neurotransmitter, dopamine. Dopamine plays a vital role in the reward pathway
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integration
to combine the similarities together
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convergence
bringing together two different concepts that share similarities
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reward
recognition of one’s work or effort
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ventral striatum
contains the brain region, nucleus accumbens
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nucleus accumbens
A brain region in the forebrain. It has two parts: core and shell
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addictive
causing someone to become dependent
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cocaine
Recreational drug. Referred as coke.
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nicotine
primary chemical present in tobacco
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addiction
dependency, craving
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modulated
modify
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enhanced
increased
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place preference
preferred choice of one place over another
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conditioned
trained or habituated
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sensitization
Repeated administration of a stimulus can cause a response to the stimulus.
Eg. If you give your cat piping hot milk the first day, the cat may not drink it as it will burn its mouth. However, if you continue to give your cat hot milk for several days in a row, the cat will eventually start drinking the milk as it is habituated to the new stimulus (hot milk) and will not complain
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Locomotor
the movement of a living being from one place to another
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sequential
one by one; logical order
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determinant
a key factor
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irrelevant
not important
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molecular genetic
study of the structure and function of genes involved in the behavior
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electrophysiological
observing the electrical properties of neurons in the mouse brain
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behavioral
observing the behavior of the mouse
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exert
influence
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gateway drugs
the substances are mild and not addictive on consumption. However, the continuous consumption of these mild substances can lead to the use of other addictive drugs. They are also known as ‘habit-forming drug.’
Eg. Alcohol, Cigarettes.
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epidemiological
Deals with incidence and distribution of diseases and societal issues
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illicit drug
Substances that are addictive to the central nervous system.
These substances are illegal to be possessed, have no documented therapeutic effect, and are referred to as drugs of abuse.
Eg. Cocaine, Heroin
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marijuana
‘weed’ or ‘pot.’
Read more about marijuana here: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-marijuana
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trophic downgrading
Impacts from the loss of the top-level consumers.
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pervasive
Widely felt.
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trophic
Feeding relationships.
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function
How a system works.
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resilience
How quickly a community is able to recover from a change in the environment.
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