This glossary is made to explain some of the most common terms used in the health science program. This glossary can be used by new or former students of the program to help them understand some of the terms used.
acceleration
noun
The rate of change of velocity over time.
Example: The car’s acceleration increased as it went downhill.
fr: acceleration
ATP
noun
The main energy currency of the cell.
Example: ATP provides energy for many cell activities.
fr: ATP
brain
Noun
An organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates, functioning as the coordinating center of sensation and intellectual and nervous activity.
Example: The brain is the most important organ in your body.
fr: Cerveau
Canada Health Act
Phrase
The Canada Health Act (CHA) is the federal legislation that defines the principles and conditions for publicly funded health insurance in Canada, also known as "Medicare". It ensures that all Canadians have reasonable access to insured health services without financial barriers.
Example: The Canadian health act is something very important for the family who sadly doesn't have enough money to pay when they need to go to the hospital.
fr: Loi canadienne sur la santé
derivative
noun
A mathematical concept that measures how a function changes as its input changes
Example: The derivative shows how a function changes at a specific point.
fr: dérivée
DNA replication
phrase
The process by which a cell makes an exact copy of its DNA.
Example: DNA replication ensures that each new cell has an exact copy of the genetic material
fr: réplication de l'ADN
enzyme
noun
A biological molecule that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.
Example: The enzyme helped speed up the chemical reaction in the cell.
fr: enzyme
force
noun
An interaction that changes the motion of an object
Example: He used force to push the heavy box forward.
fr: force
function
noun
A relationship between inputs and outputs where each input has exactly one output.
Example: A function links each input to exactly one output.
fr: fonction
Health Canada
Phrase
The federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain their health.
Example: Some people will criticize Health Canada for the way that they handled the COVID-19 epidemic.
fr: Santé Canada
homeostasis
noun
The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment.
Example: Homeostasis keeps the body’s internal environment stable.
fr: homéostasie
kinetic energy
noun
The energy of an object due to its motion.
Example: A moving car has kinetic energy because of its motion.
fr: énergie cinétique
mitosis
noun
A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.
Example: Mitosis allows cells to divide and create identical copies.
fr: mitose
mole
noun
A unit in chemistry that represents 6.022 times 10^{23} particles
Example: One mole of water contains 6.022 times 10^{23} molecules.
fr: mole
osmosis
noun
The movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a low to a high solute concentration.
Example: Osmosis moves water across the cell membrane to balance concentrations.
fr: osmose
periodic table
Noun
A chart with all of the chemical elements.
Example: The periodic table is often used in the chemistry class.
fr: tableau périodique
pH
noun
A measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution.
Example: Water has a pH of 7
fr: pH
stoichiometry
noun
The calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions.
Example: In chemistry class, we used stoichiometry to calculate the exact amount of oxygen needed to completely react with hydrogen in a combustion reaction.
