Ontario Grade 12 SNC4M Science (Grade 12, University/College Preparation)
Chapters: 6
1. A. Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration
A1 Scientific Investigation Skills · A2 Career Exploration
- The Scientific Method – The scientific method is the careful way scientists find out how the world works. Observe something, ask a testable question, make a hypothesis (a clear, testable guess), test it with a fair experiment (change one variable, measure one, keep the rest the same), repeat and record data, analyse it, draw a conclusion and share it so others can check. Results that fail the test are useful too: they send you back to a new hypothesis.
2. B. Medical Technologies
B1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · B2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · B3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Medical Technologies: How Doctors Measure, Test and See Inside the Body – Doctors first check four vital signs: temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure. Each has a normal range. Blood tests and a microscope show red cells, white cells and platelets. Simple devices (thermometer, stethoscope, BP monitor, pulse oximeter) collect data quickly. Imaging (X-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI) shows the inside of the body. Every technology has costs, benefits and risks, and new tools keep arriving.
3. C. Pathogens and Disease
C1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · C2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · C3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Human Health and Disease – Health means the body, mind and social life all work well. Diseases can be caused by germs (pathogens) like bacteria, viruses, protozoa, worms and fungi. Our body fights them with two kinds of immunity: innate (we are born with it) and acquired (it learns and remembers). Vaccines use this memory. HIV destroys helper T cells and causes AIDS. Cancer is cells dividing without control. Drugs and alcohol harm the body and mind, especially in teenagers.
4. D. Nutritional Science
D1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · D2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · D3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Nutrition – Nutrition is how we get and use the substances in food. The body needs six groups of nutrients: carbohydrates and fats (mainly energy), proteins (growth and repair), vitamins and minerals (small amounts to keep the body working), and water, plus fibre for healthy digestion. Carbohydrate and protein give about 17 kJ per gram, fat about 37 kJ per gram. A balanced diet gives all nutrients in the right amounts, and energy in should roughly equal energy out.
5. E. Science and Public Health Issues
E1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · E2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · E3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Public Health – Public health is the work of keeping whole communities healthy: preventing disease, promoting healthy living and making sure everyone can get care. Infectious diseases spread through air, water, food, touch and insects; hygiene, clean water, sanitation and vaccination break the chain. When enough people are immune, herd immunity protects the rest. Health systems work in levels (primary, secondary, tertiary) and use surveillance data to spot outbreaks early.
6. F. Biotechnology
F1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · F2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · F3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Biotechnology and its Applications – The tools of genetic engineering are used in medicine, farming and research. Bacteria make human insulin; yeast makes safe vaccine proteins. Stem cells can become many cell types. Gene therapy puts a correct gene into a patient's cells. GM crops like Bt cotton carry a gene for a protein that kills pests. Transgenic animals carry foreign genes to help study disease or make medicines. Because these are powerful, India controls them through GEAC, and laws guard against biopiracy and unfair patents.