Part of the development of this consortium involves defining concepts used in members’ research. This is to provide researchers a map of the range of meanings used throughout interdisciplinary teams often working on similar topics with different methods.
This catalog, or Conceptual Inventory, is a work-in-progress and we encourage multiple definitions of the same term, as well as additions. CASP members can submit a concept or a term that you would like the project leadership to consider defining and adding to the inventory. If there is a definition that you disagree with, please submit an alternative using either of the forms above.
An example of a concept entry in the inventory:
Function (Biological Role)
The manner in which an item or activity contributes to a complex activity or capacity of a biological system. (Note: a “complex activity” is the result of the way the parts and activities of a system are organized.) Compare to “Function (Activity).”
References:
Wouters, A.G. (2003). “Four notions of biological function.” Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 34:633–668.
Allied Concepts:
Function (Activity), Function (Biological Advantage), Function (Evolutionary), Teleology,
Topical Filter:
Function and Teleology
Exaptation
A trait that evolved to perform a particular function but that was later co-opted (but not selected) to play a different role; or, a trait that evolved as a correlate of growth or accidental by-pro
Gould, S.J., and E.S. Vrba (1982). “Exaptation—a missing term in the science of form.” Paleobiology 8:4–15.
Adaptation, Fitness (Absolute), Fitness (Relative), Function (Evolutionary), Natural selection, Spandrel
Adaptation and Adaptationism