Page 257 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Science, 2008 (revised)

environmental factors. A range of chemical or biological substances or climate-related phe- nomena in the surrounding environment that can affect the health of living things.
environmental impact assessments. A formal study of the environmental effects that are likely to occur as a result of major developments such as new legislation or industrial or urban expansion.
environmental scan. A process that provides base line information about a program, environ- ment, or region that is going to be studied.
environmental stress. Pressures on the environ- ment from external and internal sources such as pollution, toxins, and climate.
enzymes. Proteins produced by living cells that speed up reactions.
epidemiology. The study of the mass aspects of disease.
essential amino acid. Any of the 8 of 20 naturally occurring amino acids that are indispensable for optimum animal growth but cannot be formed by the body and therefore must be supplied in the diet.
fact. Something that is true, something that actually exists, or something having objective reality that can be verified according to an established standard of evaluation.
feedback loop. A system with inputs and outputs, in which the information from the input is sent to the output and back again to the input.
food additives. Substances added to foods during processing to improve colour, texture, flavour, and/or shelf life.
gene therapy. The process of using normal genes to supplement or replace defective genes or to bolster normal functions.
genetic engineering. The intentional production of new genes and alteration of genomes by the sub- stitution or introduction of new genetic material.
genetically modified organism (GMO). An organism in which genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
genome. The genetic makeup of a species. genomics. The study of an organism’s entire genome.
greenhouse gas. An atmospheric gas that allows solar radiation to pass through the atmosphere but absorbs the radiation Earth emits back to space, thereby trapping heat and making the planet’s surface warmer. These gases include carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, and the fluorocarbons.
Hazardous Household Product Symbols (HHPS).
Symbols that are located on some household chemical products to identify the dangers asso- ciated with the use of or exposure to the product.
hazardous material. A toxic, corrosive, flam- mable, explosive, or radioactive chemical or other material that can endanger human health or well-being if handled improperly.
heavy metals. A metal whose specific gravity is approximately 5.0 or higher. Heavy metals are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in plants and animals, causing health problems.
hybridization. The act or process of producing hybrids.
hydrogenated. Hydrogenation is a catalytic reaction of hydrogen with compounds that are usually in an unsaturated form. In the food industry, hydrogenation is used to process liquid oils into solid or semi-solid fats.
immunization record. A provincial document that is required by law for attendance in Ontario schools and that indicates the immunizations required for Ontario children.
infectious disease. A disease caused by patho- gens that invade, and subsequently multiply in, the body.
GLOSSARy
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