Practical feline behaviour understanding cat behaviour and improving welfare

(Axel Boer) #1

© T. Atkinson, 2018. Practical Feline Behaviour (T. Atkinson) 259


Glossary


Affiliative behaviour: Friendly behaviours that increase or maintain a good relationship
between individuals, for example allogrooming and allorubbing.
Allo: From the Greek allos meaning ‘other’ (e.g. allogrooming is grooming another
as opposed to self-grooming).
Catecholamines: A group of organic compounds that function as hormones, neu-
rotransmitters, or both. They include dopamine, adrenaline (epinephrine) and
noradrenaline (norepinephrine).
Conspecific: A member of the same species.
Coping strategy: A means by which an individual may attempt to lessen or tolerate
a negative emotional state.
Displacement activity: A behaviour that is performed unnecessarily or out of context,
e.g. scratching or grooming, typically at a time of mild to moderate emotional
conflict.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid. The main component of chromosomes and the carrier
of genetic information within a cell.
Dyad: Consisting of two parts; a group of two individuals.
Emotional conflict: The presence of conflicting emotions resulting in distress, e.g. fear
or frustration connected with an attached or trusted individual.
Endocrine: Concerning glands that secrete hormones directly into the
bloodstream.
Epithelium: Protective covering of external and internal surfaces, for example skin
and the lining of internal vessels and cavities.
Felidae: The cat family.
Ganglion (pl. ganglia): A collection of nerve cells and fibres combined in a single
structure.
Genetic: Concerning genes or heredity.
Glycogen: The form in which glucose is stored within the body.
Homeostasis: Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
Hormone: A chemical substance secreted by one organ and carried in the blood-
stream to another organ on which it has a specific effect.
Hydrolysis: Chemical breakdown that requires water.
Idiopathic: Of unknown cause.
Inherent: A physical or behavioural characteristic that exists at birth, as opposed
to one that is ‘acquired’, i.e. develops due to influences after birth.
Limbic system: An area of the brain situated deep within the brain cortex involved
with the processing of emotions. The primary structures of the limbic system
include the amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia and cingulate gyrus.
Metabolism: Organic processes that convert food into energy.

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