Key terms & definitions

The amount of data a storage device or medium can hold, usually measured in units such as gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB).

The amount a container can hold, commonly measured in ml or litres.

The amount of information a memory store can hold.

The resources and abilities available to prepare for a hazard, deal with its effects and recover afterwards.

The cape near Africa’s southern tip rounded by Bartholomew Diaz in 1488, opening the way towards the Indian Ocean.

The formation of additional capillaries, increasing the blood supply and opportunities for exchange around tissues.

A microscopic blood vessel with a wall one cell thick, across which substances are exchanged between the blood and tissues.

A very small blood vessel where substances are exchanged between blood and surrounding tissues.

A very small blood vessel linking the arterial and venous sides of circulation, where substances are exchanged between blood and surrounding tissues.

The movement of a liquid through narrow spaces, caused by its attraction to surrounding surfaces and forces between its molecules.

The movement of liquid through a narrow gap; in brazing it draws molten filler between closely fitted metal parts.

A narrow tube in which a small movement of water can be tracked by following an air bubble.

A narrow tube in a bubble potometer in which the movement of an air bubble can be measured.

The city that serves as the main centre of a ruler’s government.

Money available to invest in a business or other money-making activity.

The human-made resources used in production, such as machinery, tools and equipment.

Spending on long-term assets, such as machinery, buildings or vehicles, which a business expects to use over several years.

An economic system in which businesses and property are mainly privately owned, with production and prices largely influenced by markets and competition.

An economic system in which businesses and productive resources are mainly privately owned and operated for profit. In An Inspector Calls, Birling represents a self-interested version of capitalism.

An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, production for profit and the employment of wage labour.

An accusation used against Communist officials alleged to favour policies that would lead China towards capitalism.

Mao’s label for Communist Party officials whom he accused of taking China towards capitalism.

An offence for which the law allows the death penalty.

The death penalty: execution by the state as punishment for a crime.

The execution of an offender by the state as punishment for a crime; also called the death penalty.

An unpredictable change of mood or behaviour, often following a passing whim.

The senior military commander of a territory.

A test designed to distinguish a human user from an automated computer program. The name stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.

Text accompanying an image which identifies or explains what it shows and may guide its interpretation.

Breeding animals in captivity to help conserve their species, potentially providing individuals for release into the wild.