Because the functions of the entities just described are so instrumental to determining their structure and operation, these functions are typically epistemologically essential distinguishing characteristics, included in conceptual definitions of such entities (cf. pp. 1.3:38-41):
- For concepts of life-made entities, the definition will
normally include the function which those entities serve for
the organism: "A house is a building designed for human
residence."
- For concepts of parts of organisms, the definition will
normally include the function which the part serves for the
whole organism: "A heart is an organ that maintains
circulation of the blood."
- For concepts of organisms, the definition will normally
include the function by which the organism maintains or
enhances its life: "A human is a rational animal." (A human
maintains and enhances his or her life by the use of
reason.)
These three kinds of entities will be called functional entities in this course. A functional entity is one whose existence and nature are explained by the life requirement(s) it serves for an organism. 
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