260 GlossaryNeoteny: The retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood. Neotenic –
related to neoteny.
Neuropathic pain: Pain that is a result of damaged or dysfunctional nerve fibres.
Oestrus: Period of sexual receptivity and fertility in female mammals.
Pathological: Causing or resulting from disease.
Photoreceptor: A specialised nerve cell or group of cells sensitive and responsive to
light.
Physiological: Normal functioning of living organisms.
Piloerection: Contraction of muscles in the skin that raise the hair follicles so that
the hair appears to stand up on end, often a response to a threat, making the
animal appear bigger than it really is.
Psychogenic: Originating in the mind.
Resource: Anything that is necessary or desired by the individual, e.g. food, water,
resting places, elimination areas, affection.
Selective breeding (aka artificial selection): Breeding of animals or plants by humans
to select, enhance or maintain aspects of physical appearance or behavioural
temperament.
Stimulus (pl. stimuli): Something that can cause or evoke a physiological response.
The senses are responsive to the external stimuli sight, sound, smell and touch.
Synthesis: The production of a more complex structure from simple components.
Taxonomy: Classification of organisms based on similarities of structure or origin
(adjective: taxonomic).