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GCSEEdexcel
Combined Science
Exam Questions
Levels of organisation: cells to tissues, organs and systemsNewEukaryotic vs prokaryotic cellsNewAnimal cell structures and functionsNewPlant cell structures and functionsNewBacterial cell structures and plasmidsNewSpecialised cells and adaptationsNewMicroscopy basics: magnification and resolutionNewCore Practical: Microscopy, magnification calculations and biological drawingsNewCalculating magnification and image sizeNewEnzymes as biological catalystsNewThe lock-and-key idea and enzyme specificityNewDenaturation and why temperature/pH affect enzymesNewCore Practical: Effect of pH on enzyme activityNewCalculating rates of enzyme activity from dataNewDiffusion in cells: what affects rateNewOsmosis and water potential (GCSE level)NewActive transport: why cells need energyNewCore Practical: Osmosis in potatoes (percent mass change)NewInterpreting osmosis results and evaluating methodNew
The cell cycle: growth, DNA replication and divisionNewMitosis: what it is and why it mattersNewUsing mitosis to explain growth and repairNewStem cells: what they are and where they come fromNewStem cells in medicine: risks, benefits and ethicsNewCell differentiation and development in animalsNewThe nervous system: CNS and peripheral nervous systemNewNeurones: sensory, relay and motorNewSynapses: what they do (GCSE-level overview)NewReflex arcs and reaction timeNewFactors affecting reaction time and reliability of resultsNewThe endocrine system: glands and hormones (overview)NewComparing nervous and hormonal controlNewPlant responses: tropisms and stimuliNewAuxin and phototropism/geotropism (GCSE model)NewInterpreting practical investigations on tropismsNew
DNA, genes and chromosomesNewBase pairing and the genetic code (GCSE level)NewMitosis vs meiosis: why meiosis makes gametesNewVariation: inherited vs environmental causesNewMutations: what they are and their effectsNewInheritance vocabulary: genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessiveNewMonohybrid inheritance using Punnett squaresNewUsing probability to predict genetic outcomesNewSex determination and sex-linked basics (where required)NewGenetic disorders: recessive conditions and family trees (GCSE level)NewUsing and interpreting pedigree diagramsNewContinuous vs discontinuous variationNewMeasuring variation and presenting data (charts/graphs)New
Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selectionNewSelection pressures and survival advantageNewSpeciation: how new species can form (GCSE level)NewEvidence for evolution: fossils and antibiotic resistanceNewSelective breeding: process and examplesNewSelective breeding: drawbacks and ethicsNewGenetic engineering: what it is (genes into organisms)NewGM crops: potential benefits and risksNewBacterial production of useful proteins (e.g., insulin) (overview)NewCloning: what it means (plants/animals) (overview where required)NewInterpreting “evaluate” questions on GM and selectionNew
Defining health and diseaseNewCommunicable vs non-communicable diseasesNewPathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi and protistsNewTransmission routes and preventionNewPlant diseases: examples and impacts (overview)NewHuman immune system: barriers (skin, mucus, stomach acid)NewWhite blood cells and basic immune responsesNewAntibodies and memory cells (secondary response)NewVaccination: how it works and herd immunity (GCSE level)NewAntibiotics: what they treat and why resistance happensNewDiscovery and development of new drugs (overview)NewClinical trials: placebo, double blind, peer review (overview)NewLifestyle factors and disease risk (smoking, diet, alcohol, exercise)NewCardiovascular disease: risk factors and treatments (GCSE level)NewEvaluating treatments using evidence/dataNew
Photosynthetic organisms as producers and biomassNewLeaf structure and gas exchange in plantsNewPhotosynthesis: word equation and balanced symbol equationNewChloroplasts and chlorophyll (role in photosynthesis)NewLimiting factors: light, CO₂, temperatureNewInvestigating photosynthesis rates using data (graphs/tables)NewCore Practical: Light intensity and photosynthesis rateNewPlant mineral requirements: nitrate and magnesiumNewTransport in plants: xylem structure and functionNewTranspiration: what it is and why it happensNewFactors affecting transpiration rateNewMeasuring/using rate calculations for transpirationNewPhloem and translocation (overview)NewPlant hormones and responses (link to tropisms)New
Homeostasis: keeping conditions stableNewThe nervous system in maintaining homeostasis (overview)NewThe endocrine system and negative feedback (overview)NewThermoregulation: sweating and shiveringNewBlood glucose control: insulin and glucagon (GCSE level)NewDiabetes: Type 1 vs Type 2 (overview and lifestyle links)NewWater balance and kidneys (overview where required)NewHormones in the menstrual cycle (overview where required)NewMaintaining heart rate and breathing rate during exercise (overview)NewInterpreting control/coordination practical data and evaluating methodsNew
Why multicellular organisms need exchange surfacesNewGas exchange surfaces: features that increase diffusionNewHuman lungs: structure (trachea, bronchi, alveoli)NewDiffusion in the lungs and factors affecting rateNewBreathing: inhalation and exhalation mechanicsNewEffects of smoking and disease on gas exchangeNewCirculatory system: heart, blood vessels and bloodNewDouble circulation and why it’s efficientNewBlood components and their functionsNewCoronary heart disease: causes and riskNewAerobic respiration vs anaerobic respiration (comparison)NewCore Practical: Rate of respiration in living organismsNewHeart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output calculationsNewInterpreting exercise data: breathing rate and heart rate changesNew
What an ecosystem is: biotic and abiotic factorsNewPopulation, community and habitat definitionsNewFood chains, food webs and trophic levelsNewBiomass transfer and pyramids of biomass (GCSE level)NewSampling organisms: random sampling and avoiding biasNewCore Practical: Quadrat and transect fieldworkNewEstimating population size from sample dataNewRelationships between organisms: predation, competitionNewParasitism and mutualismNewDecomposers and the role of microorganismsNewThe carbon cycle (processes and keywords)NewThe water cycle (processes and keywords)NewHuman impacts: land use, pollution, biodiversity loss (overview)NewInterpreting ecological data sets and evaluating conclusionsNew
Naming and writing formulae for elements and simple compoundsNewWriting ionic formulae using chargesNewWriting word equations from descriptionsNewBalancing symbol equations (including state symbols)NewConservation of mass in reactionsNewWriting simple ionic equations (where required)NewHazard symbols and lab safety basicsNewIdentifying variables and control in chemistry practicalsNew
Dalton model to modern atomic model (overview)NewSubatomic particles: relative charge and massNewAtomic number and mass numberNewIsotopes and why they differNewElectronic structure and shells (GCSE model)NewThe periodic table as a list of elements and patternsNewMetals vs non-metals: general propertiesNewIonic bonding: formation and dot-and-cross diagramsNewCovalent bonding: molecules and dot-and-cross diagramsNewMetallic bonding and metal properties (GCSE model)NewSimple molecular vs giant covalent structures (overview)NewRelative formula mass (Mr) and calculationsNewThe mole: using Avogadro concept (GCSE level)NewUsing moles to find masses and amountsNewConcentration calculations (g/dm³ and mol/dm³ where required)NewEmpirical formula from masses/percentagesNewInterpreting percentage yield and atom economy (overview if required)New
Particle model: solids, liquids and gasesNewChanges of state and energy transferNewMelting/boiling points and purity (overview)NewDiffusion in liquids and gases (chemistry context)NewMixtures vs pure substancesNewFiltration, crystallisation and evaporationNewSimple distillation and fractional distillation (basic differences)NewChromatography: separation and interpretationNewCore Practical: Distillation + paper chromatography of inksNewCalculating and using Rf valuesNewTesting for gases: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, chlorine (overview)NewMaking water potable: sedimentation, filtration, chlorinationNewDistilling sea water and energy considerations (overview)New
Acids and alkalis: pH and indicatorsNewStrong vs weak acids (degree of ionisation)NewNeutralisation: making salts and waterNewMaking soluble salts by reacting acid + metal/carbonate/alkaliNewPreparing insoluble salts by precipitation (overview)NewCore Practical: pH change during neutralisation (calcium hydroxide/oxide + HCl)NewAcid-alkali titration technique and calculations (overview)NewCore Practical: Making hydrated copper sulfate crystals (from copper oxide)NewElectrolysis basics: ions, electrodes and charge flowNewElectrolysis of molten ionic compounds (overview)NewElectrolysis of aqueous solutions (rules of discharge overview)NewCore Practical: Electrolysis of copper sulfate (inert vs copper electrodes)NewOxidation and reduction in terms of electrons (redox)NewIdentifying oxidation/reduction in electrolysis reactionsNew
The reactivity series and what it predictsNewOxidation and reduction in metal extractionNewExtracting metals using carbon reduction (iron as example)NewWhy some metals need electrolysis (aluminium as example)NewChemical cells and corrosion (overview where required)NewRusting: conditions needed and prevention (overview)NewRecycling metals: economic and environmental reasons (overview)NewReversible reactions and dynamic equilibriumNewLe Chatelier’s principle: temperature changesNewLe Chatelier’s principle: pressure changes (gases)NewLe Chatelier’s principle: concentration changesNewEvaluating equilibrium shifts using particle ideas and equationsNew
How the modern periodic table is arrangedNewGroup 1: properties and trendsNewGroup 1 reactions with water (pattern and products)NewGroup 7: halogens and trendsNewHalogen displacement reactions (predicting outcomes)NewGroup 0: noble gases and why they’re unreactiveNewUsing electron structure to explain group propertiesNewComparing metals and non-metals in groupsNewWriting equations for group reactions (GCSE level)New
What “rate of reaction” meansNewCollision theory and activation energyNewFactors affecting rate: temperatureNewFactors affecting rate: concentration/pressureNewFactors affecting rate: surface areaNewCatalysts and enzymes (chemistry link)NewMeasuring rate: gas volume, mass loss, colour changeNewCore Practical: Rates (marble chips gas method + thiosulfate disappearing cross)NewDrawing and interpreting rate graphsNewComparing rate data and evaluating conclusionsNewExothermic vs endothermic reactionsNewReaction profiles and energy level diagramsNewBond breaking and bond making (energy idea)NewCalculating energy changes using bond energies (overview where required)New
Crude oil as a mixture of hydrocarbonsNewFractional distillation of crude oil (fractions and uses)NewAlkanes: general formula and combustionNewAlkenes: double bonds and polymerisation (overview)NewComplete vs incomplete combustionNewPollutants from combustion (CO, SO₂, NOx, particulates)NewClimate change basics: CO₂ and greenhouse effect (GCSE level)NewReducing emissions: catalytic converters and cleaner fuels (overview)NewEarth’s structure: crust, mantle, core (overview)NewEarth’s atmosphere: composition and how it changed (overview)NewWater resources and sustainability (overview where required)NewEvaluating fuel choices using data (cost, pollution, energy output)New
Key concepts of physicsNewMotion and forcesNewConservation of energyNewWavesNewLight and the electromagnetic spectrumNewRadioactivityNewEnergy – forces doing workNewForces and their effectsNewElectricity and circuitsNewMagnetism and the motor effectNewElectromagnetic inductionNewParticle modelNewForces and matterNew
Using SI base units and standard prefixesNewConverting between units (including km/h to m/s)NewMeasuring length, mass, time and temperature accuratelyNewDensity as mass/volume and rearranging the equationNewInvestigating density using practical measurements (overview)NewPressure as force/area (intro for later topics)NewRepresenting data: tables, graphs and gradientsNewUncertainty and selecting appropriate apparatus (GCSE level)NewSignificant figures and standard form in physics calculations (where required)New
Scalars vs vectorsNewDistance vs displacement (intro)NewSpeed calculations and interpreting graphsNewVelocity and direction (intro)NewAcceleration and unitsNewDistance–time graphs: describing motionNewVelocity–time graphs: acceleration and decelerationNewCalculating distance from area under a velocity–time graphNewResultant force and Newton’s first law (conceptual)NewNewton’s second law: F = m aNewCore Practical: Force, mass and acceleration with trolleysNewNewton’s third law pairs (action–reaction)NewStopping distance: thinking distance vs braking distance (overview)NewFactors affecting stopping distance (speed, friction, driver)NewCircular motion: changing velocity at constant speed (qualitative)New
Energy stores and pathways (transfer mechanisms)NewWork done and energy transferNewPower as energy per secondNewEfficiency calculations and Sankey diagrams (overview)NewRenewable vs non-renewable energy resources (overview)NewNational and global energy use (overview)NewEnergy in heating and temperature rise (link to SHC practical)NewSelecting the best energy resource for a scenario (evaluation)New
What waves transfer (energy, not matter)NewTransverse vs longitudinal wavesNewAmplitude, wavelength, frequency and periodNewWave speed equation v = f λNewMeasuring wave properties in water, sound and solids (overview)NewReflection and absorption of wavesNewRefraction: change in speed and direction at a boundaryNewSound waves: pitch and loudness (frequency and amplitude)NewMeasuring sound speed (overview)NewCore Practical: Suitability of equipment for wave speed/frequency/wavelengthNew
Light as a transverse wave (intro)NewReflection: angle of incidence = angle of reflectionNewRefraction and the normal lineNewLenses: converging vs diverging (basic ray ideas)NewCore Practical: Refraction in a rectangular glass blockNewThe electromagnetic spectrum in orderNewEM waves as a continuous spectrumNewComparing wavelength, frequency and energy across the spectrumNewUses of radio/microwaves/IR/visible/UV/X-ray/gamma (overview)NewDangers of ionising vs non-ionising radiation (overview)New
Atoms, nuclei and isotopes (recap link)NewTypes of radiation: alpha, beta, gammaNewProperties and penetration of each typeNewBackground radiation: sources and variationNewIrradiation vs contaminationNewHalf-life and what it meansNewUsing half-life graphs and decay curvesNewCalculating remaining activity after multiple half-livesNewSafety precautions and risk (evaluation style questions)New
Work done as force × distance movedNewEnergy transfers when forces do workNewPower in mechanical situations (e.g., climbing stairs)NewGravitational potential energy changesNewKinetic energy and speed dependenceNewConservation of energy in lifting and falling objectsNewEfficiency in devices that do mechanical workNewInvestigating power practically (stairs/lifting) (overview)New
Contact and non-contact forcesNewWeight vs mass and gravitational field strengthNewForce as a vector: direction mattersNewDrawing and using free-body diagramsNewBalanced vs unbalanced forces and motionNewHooke’s law: force and extensionNewSpring constant and rearranging F = kxNewElastic limit and force–extension graphsNewWork done stretching a spring (energy stored)NewCore Practical: Spring extension and work doneNewMoments: turning effect of a force (intro where required)NewStability and centre of mass (intro where required)New
Charge and current (what current means)NewPotential difference as energy transferred per charge (concept)NewResistance and how it affects currentNewSeries circuits: current, voltage and resistance rulesNewParallel circuits: current paths and voltage rulesNewUsing circuit symbols and drawing diagramsNewMeasuring current and voltage correctly (ammeter/voltmeter)NewI–V characteristics of a resistor (ohmic behaviour)NewI–V characteristics of a filament lamp (non-ohmic)NewCore Practical: Circuits and I–V (resistor + filament lamp; series vs parallel)NewCalculating resistance using V = I RNewMains electricity safety (fuse, earth, double insulation) (overview)New
Permanent magnets and magnetic fieldsNewMagnetic field lines and what they showNewElectromagnets: current creates a magnetic fieldNewSolenoids and factors affecting field strengthNewThe motor effect: force on a current in a magnetic fieldNewFleming’s left-hand rule (direction of force)NewUsing F = B I l (where required)NewDC motor: parts and how it works (overview)New
Induced potential difference from changing magnetic fieldsNewFactors affecting induced voltage (rate of change, turns, field strength)NewGenerators: AC generation (overview)NewThe national grid: why high voltage is used (overview)NewTransformers: step-up and step-down (overview)NewUsing transformers safely and efficiently (evaluation)New
States of matter and internal energy (link to chemistry)NewTemperature vs thermal energyNewHeating curves and changes of stateNewSpecific heat capacity and energy calculationsNewCore Practical: Specific heat capacity of water + melting ice temperature–time graphNewLatent heat idea (overview where required)NewGas pressure in terms of particles (qualitative)New
Pressure in fluids: force per areaNewPressure in liquids: depth and density (qualitative/GCSE equations where required)NewUpthrust and floating (overview)NewMoments in structures (overview where required)NewStress, strain and material behaviour (overview)NewExtension and elastic/plastic deformation (link to Hooke’s law)NewEngineering choices: strength, stiffness and density (evaluation style)New
