The DNA–protein complex that makes up chromosomes.

Structures inside the nucleus, made of DNA and protein, that carry the cell’s hereditary information.

A long-standing illness for which there is no known cure. It is not immediately life-threatening but can give rise to unpleasant and painful symptoms.

A procedure whereby a neutral stimulus (e.g. a bell) is converted into a conditional stimulus by its pairing with an unconditional stimulus (e.g. food). Following classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus acquires a power (e.g. to evoke salivation).

A situation where a neutral stimulus is arranged to occur just before an unconditional stimulus.

A set of three bases in mRNA that corresponds to (i.e. codes for) a particular amino acid.

A non-protein molecule which is closely associated with, or in some cases covalently bound to, an enzyme, and helps catalyse a chemical reaction.

Facts about the world that can be utilised flexibly in behaviour, e.g. food is by the window.

Term describing a process of information storage and retrieval, which can be utilised flexibly in behaviour. In humans, ‘cognitive’ relates to mental operations sometimes termed thought processes, e.g. reasoning, calculation and planning.

A spatial representation in memory. Typically, a cognitive map would be of a particular environment and be used as an aid to navigation there.