Key terms & definitions

A formula showing every atom and every covalent bond in a molecule.

The purpose something serves or was designed to serve.

A rule that assigns an output to each permitted input; $f(x)$ denotes the output of function $f$ for input $x$.

The practical role an object or building performed.

The purpose of a product and how well it performs the tasks customers need it to perform.

A subroutine that returns a value to the code that called it.

A predefined spreadsheet formula that performs a calculation, such as SUM or AVERAGE.

The purpose of a product: what it is designed to do.

A role or contribution that an institution performs for individuals or society.

A process within an organism that helps it survive.

An internal biological process that helps an organism survive in its environment.

A department or part of a business that carries out specialist tasks, such as marketing, operations, finance or human resources.

A technique that maps indicators of brain activity, such as changes in blood flow or energy use.

A group of atoms within a molecule that determines its characteristic chemical reactions.

The contribution a role makes to the survival and effective operation of society.

A sociological perspective that examines how the different parts of society contribute to its continued operation and stability.

A sociologist who studies the functions that institutions perform for society.

The ability of a product or system to perform its intended tasks.

A social role considered vital to society’s effective operation.

Positions considered particularly important to the survival and effective operation of society.

A scanning method that maps changes in blood flow while a person carries out a task, providing indirect evidence about which brain areas are active.

What a product or part must do, which determines the properties its materials and components need.

A characteristic affecting how a product performs in use, such as resistance to moisture, stains or wear.

The useful job an ingredient performs in a food, such as egg protein setting a quiche filling or stabilising a foam.

A way of naming a function and showing its input: $f(x)$ means the output of function $f$ when the input is $x$.

Notation for the output of function $f$ when its input is $x$.

Belief in a literal interpretation of religious texts or scriptures.

A Christian who believes that the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, is literally true.

A Christian who strongly upholds biblical authority and typically reads the Genesis creation account literally.

Money provided to support research, for example by a university, charity, company or government department.