JCECE key terms

Organizing a relational database into tables that reduce repeated data and update anomalies, usually by applying successive normal forms based on functional dependencies and candidate keys.

A rule stating that one attribute or set of attributes uniquely determines another; written X → Y, it underpins key identification and the higher normal forms.

A minimal set of attributes that uniquely identifies each row of a relation; any one candidate key may be chosen as the primary key.

A technique where secondary storage is used to extend apparent main memory, letting programs exceed physical RAM through paging or segmentation managed by the operating system.

An interrupt raised when a program accesses a page not currently held in physical memory, forcing the operating system to load it from disk.

A small, fast memory between the processor and main memory that holds recently used data to cut average access time, exploiting locality of reference.

A measure of how an algorithm's running time grows with input size, usually expressed in big-O notation such as O(n log n) for efficient sorting.

A problem-solving technique in which a function calls itself on smaller inputs, requiring a base case to terminate and relying on the call stack.

A circuit theorem stating that any linear two-terminal network can be replaced by an equivalent voltage source in series with a resistance, found from open-circuit voltage and equivalent resistance.

The dual of Thevenin's theorem: any linear two-terminal network equals a current source in parallel with a resistance, where the source is the short-circuit current.

In a linear network with multiple independent sources, the response in any branch equals the algebraic sum of responses produced by each source acting alone with others deactivated.

Stress is internal force per unit area within a material; strain is the resulting fractional deformation. Their ratio in the elastic region gives Young's modulus.

The ratio of tensile or compressive stress to longitudinal strain in the linear elastic range, a measure of a material's stiffness.

Energy conservation for thermodynamic systems: heat supplied to a system equals the increase in internal energy plus work done by the system.

A state function measuring the dispersal of energy in a system; it increases in spontaneous processes in an isolated system, as stated by the second law.

Two-dimensional motion of an object under gravity alone after launch, analysed by resolving velocity into independent horizontal (uniform) and vertical (accelerated) components.

The velocity of one body as measured from another moving frame, obtained by vector subtraction of the observer's velocity from the body's velocity.

Molarity is moles of solute per litre of solution; molality is moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Molality is temperature-independent because it uses mass.

The minimum pressure that must be applied to a solution to stop solvent passing through a semipermeable membrane, proportional to solute concentration at a given temperature.

When a system at equilibrium is disturbed by changes in concentration, pressure, or temperature, it shifts in the direction that partly opposes the disturbance.

The ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations, each raised to its stoichiometric coefficient, at equilibrium; its value indicates the extent of reaction.

The mixing of atomic orbitals of similar energy to form equivalent new orbitals (sp, sp2, sp3) that explain observed molecular geometry and bond angles.

The existence of compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures or spatial arrangements, including chain, position, functional, and stereoisomerism.

Allele and genotype frequencies in a large, randomly mating population remain constant across generations absent mutation, migration, selection, or genetic drift.

Patterns of trait transmission following Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment, based on paired alleles that separate during gamete formation.

The volume of blood pumped by one ventricle per minute, equal to stroke volume multiplied by heart rate; a key indicator of circulatory efficiency.

The force exerted by circulating blood against vessel walls, recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure in millimetres of mercury.

The functional unit of the kidney, comprising the glomerulus and tubule, which filters blood and adjusts filtrate to form urine.

The volume of fluid filtered from the glomeruli into Bowman's capsule per unit time, reflecting kidney function and used to stage renal disease.

A systematic five-step method of nursing care: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation, providing a framework for individualised patient care.

A written, individualised record of a patient's nursing diagnoses, goals, planned interventions, and evaluation criteria, guiding and documenting nursing actions.

Practices that prevent microorganisms from entering a sterile area or wound; medical asepsis reduces spread, while surgical asepsis keeps objects free of all microbes.

Infection-control measures applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids.

Core physiological measurements: body temperature, pulse, respiration rate, blood pressure, and often oxygen saturation, used to detect changes in patient condition.

Recording all fluids a patient takes in and loses over a period to assess hydration and renal function, an essential nursing observation.

The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them, driven by mutation and gene transfer and worsened by misuse of antimicrobials.

The study of what the body does to a drug over time, covering absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, which together determine dose and dosing interval.

The fraction of an administered dose of drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged; intravenous dosing is taken as complete, or 100 percent.

The time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to fall by half, used to estimate dosing frequency and the time to reach steady state.

Sensitivity is the proportion of truly diseased people correctly identified by a test; specificity is the proportion of truly healthy people correctly identified as negative.

The probability that a person with a positive test result actually has the disease, which depends on test accuracy and the prevalence of the condition.

An experimental study in which participants are randomly allocated to intervention or control groups, minimising bias and supporting causal inference.

Distortion of an observed association by a third variable related to both exposure and outcome, which must be controlled by design or statistical adjustment.

In engineering metrology, the permissible variation between upper and lower limits of a dimension; in pharmacology, a reduced response to a drug after repeated use.

A system specifying the maximum and minimum permitted sizes of mating parts and the resulting clearance or interference, ensuring interchangeable assembly.

A basic physical step in a chemical process, such as distillation, filtration, or drying, that is common to many different industries.

A device that transfers thermal energy between two fluids at different temperatures without mixing them, common types being shell-and-tube and plate exchangers.

Connecting exposed metal parts of electrical equipment to the ground so fault currents flow safely to earth, protecting people from electric shock.

An automatically operated switch that interrupts a circuit when current exceeds a safe value, protecting wiring and equipment and allowing reset after a fault.

A precision measuring instrument using a calibrated screw to measure small dimensions, typically reading to 0.01 millimetre, used by fitters and machinists.

A measuring tool with a main scale and sliding vernier scale that measures internal, external, and depth dimensions, commonly to 0.02 millimetre.

A documented, step-by-step description of how to perform a specific task safely and correctly, used in vocational training and shop-floor quality control.

The operational techniques and activities used to verify that a product or service meets specified requirements, including inspection, testing, and corrective action.

The complete destruction or removal of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, from equipment or media, usually by autoclaving, dry heat, or filtration.

Reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces using chemical agents or heat, without necessarily destroying all spores.

The planned and systematic activities implemented to ensure that laboratory or clinical services consistently meet defined standards of accuracy and reliability.