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Levels of organisation: cells to tissues, organs and systemsEukaryotic vs prokaryotic cellsAnimal cell structures and functionsPlant cell structures and functionsBacterial cell structures and plasmidsSpecialised cells and adaptationsMicroscopy basics: magnification and resolutionCore Practical: Microscopy, magnification calculations and biological drawingsCalculating magnification and image sizeEnzymes as biological catalystsThe lock-and-key idea and enzyme specificityDenaturation and why temperature/pH affect enzymesCore Practical: Effect of pH on enzyme activityCalculating rates of enzyme activity from dataDiffusion in cells: what affects rateOsmosis and water potential (GCSE level)Active transport: why cells need energyCore Practical: Osmosis in potatoes (percent mass change)Interpreting osmosis results and evaluating method
The cell cycle: growth, DNA replication and divisionMitosis: what it is and why it mattersUsing mitosis to explain growth and repairStem cells: what they are and where they come fromStem cells in medicine: risks, benefits and ethicsCell differentiation and development in animalsThe nervous system: CNS and peripheral nervous systemNeurones: sensory, relay and motorSynapses: what they do (GCSE-level overview)Reflex arcs and reaction timeFactors affecting reaction time and reliability of resultsThe endocrine system: glands and hormones (overview)Comparing nervous and hormonal controlPlant responses: tropisms and stimuliAuxin and phototropism/geotropism (GCSE model)Interpreting practical investigations on tropisms
DNA, genes and chromosomesBase pairing and the genetic code (GCSE level)Mitosis vs meiosis: why meiosis makes gametesVariation: inherited vs environmental causesMutations: what they are and their effectsInheritance vocabulary: genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessiveMonohybrid inheritance using Punnett squaresUsing probability to predict genetic outcomesSex determination and sex-linked basics (where required)Genetic disorders: recessive conditions and family trees (GCSE level)Using and interpreting pedigree diagramsContinuous vs discontinuous variationMeasuring variation and presenting data (charts/graphs)
Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selectionSelection pressures and survival advantageSpeciation: how new species can form (GCSE level)Evidence for evolution: fossils and antibiotic resistanceSelective breeding: process and examplesSelective breeding: drawbacks and ethicsGenetic engineering: what it is (genes into organisms)GM crops: potential benefits and risksBacterial production of useful proteins (e.g., insulin) (overview)Cloning: what it means (plants/animals) (overview where required)Interpreting “evaluate” questions on GM and selection
Defining health and diseaseCommunicable vs non-communicable diseasesPathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi and protistsTransmission routes and preventionPlant diseases: examples and impacts (overview)Human immune system: barriers (skin, mucus, stomach acid)White blood cells and basic immune responsesAntibodies and memory cells (secondary response)Vaccination: how it works and herd immunity (GCSE level)Antibiotics: what they treat and why resistance happensDiscovery and development of new drugs (overview)Clinical trials: placebo, double blind, peer review (overview)Lifestyle factors and disease risk (smoking, diet, alcohol, exercise)Cardiovascular disease: risk factors and treatments (GCSE level)Evaluating treatments using evidence/data
Photosynthetic organisms as producers and biomassLeaf structure and gas exchange in plantsPhotosynthesis: word equation and balanced symbol equationChloroplasts and chlorophyll (role in photosynthesis)Limiting factors: light, CO₂, temperatureInvestigating photosynthesis rates using data (graphs/tables)Core Practical: Light intensity and photosynthesis ratePlant mineral requirements: nitrate and magnesiumTransport in plants: xylem structure and functionTranspiration: what it is and why it happensFactors affecting transpiration rateMeasuring/using rate calculations for transpirationPhloem and translocation (overview)Plant hormones and responses (link to tropisms)
Homeostasis: keeping conditions stableThe nervous system in maintaining homeostasis (overview)The endocrine system and negative feedback (overview)Thermoregulation: sweating and shiveringBlood glucose control: insulin and glucagon (GCSE level)Diabetes: Type 1 vs Type 2 (overview and lifestyle links)Water balance and kidneys (overview where required)Hormones in the menstrual cycle (overview where required)Maintaining heart rate and breathing rate during exercise (overview)Interpreting control/coordination practical data and evaluating methods
Why multicellular organisms need exchange surfacesGas exchange surfaces: features that increase diffusionHuman lungs: structure (trachea, bronchi, alveoli)Diffusion in the lungs and factors affecting rateBreathing: inhalation and exhalation mechanicsEffects of smoking and disease on gas exchangeCirculatory system: heart, blood vessels and bloodDouble circulation and why it’s efficientBlood components and their functionsCoronary heart disease: causes and riskAerobic respiration vs anaerobic respiration (comparison)Core Practical: Rate of respiration in living organismsHeart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output calculationsInterpreting exercise data: breathing rate and heart rate changes
What an ecosystem is: biotic and abiotic factorsPopulation, community and habitat definitionsFood chains, food webs and trophic levelsBiomass transfer and pyramids of biomass (GCSE level)Sampling organisms: random sampling and avoiding biasCore Practical: Quadrat and transect fieldworkEstimating population size from sample dataRelationships between organisms: predation, competitionParasitism and mutualismDecomposers and the role of microorganismsThe carbon cycle (processes and keywords)The water cycle (processes and keywords)Human impacts: land use, pollution, biodiversity loss (overview)Interpreting ecological data sets and evaluating conclusions
Naming and writing formulae for elements and simple compoundsWriting ionic formulae using chargesWriting word equations from descriptionsBalancing symbol equations (including state symbols)Conservation of mass in reactionsWriting simple ionic equations (where required)Hazard symbols and lab safety basicsIdentifying variables and control in chemistry practicals
Dalton model to modern atomic model (overview)Subatomic particles: relative charge and massAtomic number and mass numberIsotopes and why they differElectronic structure and shells (GCSE model)The periodic table as a list of elements and patternsMetals vs non-metals: general propertiesIonic bonding: formation and dot-and-cross diagramsCovalent bonding: molecules and dot-and-cross diagramsMetallic bonding and metal properties (GCSE model)Simple molecular vs giant covalent structures (overview)Relative formula mass (Mr) and calculationsThe mole: using Avogadro concept (GCSE level)Using moles to find masses and amountsConcentration calculations (g/dm³ and mol/dm³ where required)Empirical formula from masses/percentagesInterpreting percentage yield and atom economy (overview if required)
Particle model: solids, liquids and gasesChanges of state and energy transferMelting/boiling points and purity (overview)Diffusion in liquids and gases (chemistry context)Mixtures vs pure substancesFiltration, crystallisation and evaporationSimple distillation and fractional distillation (basic differences)Chromatography: separation and interpretationCore Practical: Distillation + paper chromatography of inksCalculating and using Rf valuesTesting for gases: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, chlorine (overview)Making water potable: sedimentation, filtration, chlorinationDistilling sea water and energy considerations (overview)
Acids and alkalis: pH and indicatorsStrong vs weak acids (degree of ionisation)Neutralisation: making salts and waterMaking soluble salts by reacting acid + metal/carbonate/alkaliPreparing insoluble salts by precipitation (overview)Core Practical: pH change during neutralisation (calcium hydroxide/oxide + HCl)Acid-alkali titration technique and calculations (overview)Core Practical: Making hydrated copper sulfate crystals (from copper oxide)Electrolysis basics: ions, electrodes and charge flowElectrolysis of molten ionic compounds (overview)Electrolysis of aqueous solutions (rules of discharge overview)Core Practical: Electrolysis of copper sulfate (inert vs copper electrodes)Oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons (redox)Identifying oxidation/reduction in electrolysis reactions
The reactivity series and what it predictsOxidation and reduction in metal extractionExtracting metals using carbon reduction (iron as example)Why some metals need electrolysis (aluminium as example)Chemical cells and corrosion (overview where required)Rusting: conditions needed and prevention (overview)Recycling metals: economic and environmental reasons (overview)Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibriumLe Chatelier’s principle: temperature changesLe Chatelier’s principle: pressure changes (gases)Le Chatelier’s principle: concentration changesEvaluating equilibrium shifts using particle ideas and equations
How the modern periodic table is arrangedGroup 1: properties and trendsGroup 1 reactions with water (pattern and products)Group 7: halogens and trendsHalogen displacement reactions (predicting outcomes)Group 0: noble gases and why they’re unreactiveUsing electron structure to explain group propertiesComparing metals and non-metals in groupsWriting equations for group reactions (GCSE level)
What “rate of reaction” meansCollision theory and activation energyFactors affecting rate: temperatureFactors affecting rate: concentration/pressureFactors affecting rate: surface areaCatalysts and enzymes (chemistry link)Measuring rate: gas volume, mass loss, colour changeCore Practical: Rates (marble chips gas method + thiosulfate disappearing cross)Drawing and interpreting rate graphsComparing rate data and evaluating conclusionsExothermic vs endothermic reactionsReaction profiles and energy level diagramsBond breaking and bond making (energy idea)Calculating energy changes using bond energies (overview where required)
Crude oil as a mixture of hydrocarbonsFractional distillation of crude oil (fractions and uses)Alkanes: general formula and combustionAlkenes: double bonds and polymerisation (overview)Complete vs incomplete combustionPollutants from combustion (CO, SO₂, NOx, particulates)Climate change basics: CO₂ and greenhouse effect (GCSE level)Reducing emissions: catalytic converters and cleaner fuels (overview)Earth’s structure: crust, mantle, core (overview)Earth’s atmosphere: composition and how it changed (overview)Water resources and sustainability (overview where required)Evaluating fuel choices using data (cost, pollution, energy output)
Using SI base units and standard prefixesConverting between units (including km/h to m/s)Measuring length, mass, time and temperature accuratelyDensity as mass/volume and rearranging the equationInvestigating density using practical measurements (overview)Pressure as force/area (intro for later topics)Representing data: tables, graphs and gradientsUncertainty and selecting appropriate apparatus (GCSE level)Significant figures and standard form in physics calculations (where required)
Scalars vs vectorsDistance vs displacement (intro)Speed calculations and interpreting graphsVelocity and direction (intro)Acceleration and unitsDistance–time graphs: describing motionVelocity–time graphs: acceleration and decelerationCalculating distance from area under a velocity–time graphResultant force and Newton’s first law (conceptual)Newton’s second law: F = m aCore Practical: Force, mass and acceleration with trolleysNewton’s third law pairs (action–reaction)Stopping distance: thinking distance vs braking distance (overview)Factors affecting stopping distance (speed, friction, driver)Circular motion: changing velocity at constant speed (qualitative)
Energy stores and pathways (transfer mechanisms)Work done and energy transferPower as energy per secondEfficiency calculations and Sankey diagrams (overview)Renewable vs non-renewable energy resources (overview)National and global energy use (overview)Energy in heating and temperature rise (link to SHC practical)Selecting the best energy resource for a scenario (evaluation)
What waves transfer (energy, not matter)Transverse vs longitudinal wavesAmplitude, wavelength, frequency and periodWave speed equation v = f λMeasuring wave properties in water, sound and solids (overview)Reflection and absorption of wavesRefraction: change in speed and direction at a boundarySound waves: pitch and loudness (frequency and amplitude)Measuring sound speed (overview)Core Practical: Suitability of equipment for wave speed/frequency/wavelength
Light as a transverse wave (intro)Reflection: angle of incidence = angle of reflectionRefraction and the normal lineLenses: converging vs diverging (basic ray ideas)Core Practical: Refraction in a rectangular glass blockThe electromagnetic spectrum in orderEM waves as a continuous spectrumComparing wavelength, frequency and energy across the spectrumUses of radio/microwaves/IR/visible/UV/X-ray/gamma (overview)Dangers of ionising vs non-ionising radiation (overview)
Atoms, nuclei and isotopes (recap link)Types of radiation: alpha, beta, gammaProperties and penetration of each typeBackground radiation: sources and variationIrradiation vs contaminationHalf-life and what it meansUsing half-life graphs and decay curvesCalculating remaining activity after multiple half-livesSafety precautions and risk (evaluation style questions)
Work done as force × distance movedEnergy transfers when forces do workPower in mechanical situations (e.g., climbing stairs)Gravitational potential energy changesKinetic energy and speed dependenceConservation of energy in lifting and falling objectsEfficiency in devices that do mechanical workInvestigating power practically (stairs/lifting) (overview)
Contact and non-contact forcesWeight vs mass and gravitational field strengthForce as a vector: direction mattersDrawing and using free-body diagramsBalanced vs unbalanced forces and motionHooke’s law: force and extensionSpring constant and rearranging F = kxElastic limit and force–extension graphsWork done stretching a spring (energy stored)Core Practical: Spring extension and work doneMoments: turning effect of a force (intro where required)Stability and centre of mass (intro where required)
Charge and current (what current means)Potential difference as energy transferred per charge (concept)Resistance and how it affects currentSeries circuits: current, voltage and resistance rulesParallel circuits: current paths and voltage rulesUsing circuit symbols and drawing diagramsMeasuring current and voltage correctly (ammeter/voltmeter)I–V characteristics of a resistor (ohmic behaviour)I–V characteristics of a filament lamp (non-ohmic)Core Practical: Circuits and I–V (resistor + filament lamp; series vs parallel)Calculating resistance using V = I RMains electricity safety (fuse, earth, double insulation) (overview)
Permanent magnets and magnetic fieldsMagnetic field lines and what they showElectromagnets: current creates a magnetic fieldSolenoids and factors affecting field strengthThe motor effect: force on a current in a magnetic fieldFleming’s left-hand rule (direction of force)Using F = B I l (where required)DC motor: parts and how it works (overview)
Induced potential difference from changing magnetic fieldsFactors affecting induced voltage (rate of change, turns, field strength)Generators: AC generation (overview)The national grid: why high voltage is used (overview)Transformers: step-up and step-down (overview)Using transformers safely and efficiently (evaluation)
States of matter and internal energy (link to chemistry)Temperature vs thermal energyHeating curves and changes of stateSpecific heat capacity and energy calculationsCore Practical: Specific heat capacity of water + melting ice temperature–time graphLatent heat idea (overview where required)Gas pressure in terms of particles (qualitative)
Pressure in fluids: force per areaPressure in liquids: depth and density (qualitative/GCSE equations where required)Upthrust and floating (overview)Moments in structures (overview where required)Stress, strain and material behaviour (overview)Extension and elastic/plastic deformation (link to Hooke’s law)Engineering choices: strength, stiffness and density (evaluation style)
