Term 1: Biology- Infection and Response
Pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that cause infectious diseases in animals and plants. They frequently produce toxins that damage tissues and make us feel ill. This section will explore how we can avoid diseases by reducing contact with them, as well as how the body uses barriers against pathogens. Once inside the body our immune system is triggered which is usually strong enough to destroy the pathogen and prevent disease.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Gonorrhoea
Sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Symptoms include pain when urinating and yellow genital discharge.
Phagocytosis
process by which white blood cells engulf or ingest pathogens
white blood cells
groups of cells involved in defending the body against pathogens
double blind trial
clinical trial for a new medicine, where both scientists and patients do not know who is part of the test group
rose black spot
Fungal disease, which affects plants. Symptoms include black spots on leaves which reduce the ability for photosynthesis
measles
Viral disease which causes a fever and rash. Normally effects babies and infants.
Salmonella
Bacterial disease, often found in poultry. Can be prevented through vaccinating chickens, and ensuring chicken is cooked properly before consuming.
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Term 1: Chemistry- Rates of Chemical Change
Chemical reactions can occur at vastly different rates. Students learn about the variables that affect the rate of reaction and explore how to maximise yield of desired product.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Catalyst
A substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up.
Collision theory
All substances are made of particles. These must collide with a particular energy in order for the particles to react.
Concentration
How many particles (%) are dissolved in a solution
Rate of reaction
This measures how quickly a chemical reaction occurs
Surface area
The surface area describes how many surfaces of a substance are exposed. Increasing surface area such as by turning a substance into a POWDER increases the rate of reaction. This is because there are more exposed surfaces and so there are more successful collisions between particles.
Chromatography
The compounds in a mixture can be separated into different spots depending on the solvent but a pure compound will produce a single spot in all solvents.
Activation energy
The energy needed to start a reaction. For example a match will provide the energy to start a fire.
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Term 1: Chemistry- Chemical Analysis
Students will learn about a variety different techniques to analyse and identify chemicals, including gas tests, chromatography and flame tests.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Formulation
A formulation is a mixture made for a specific purpose with certain quantities of different substances.
Mobile phase
Phase during chromatography where molecules are moving (solvent).
Stationary Phase
Phase during chromatography where the molecules are still (paper).
Rf Value
Calculated by dividing the distance of substance by the distance of solvent.
Chlorine Test
When chlorine is added to litmus paper, the paper turns red and then bleaches white.
Oxygen Test
Oxygen will cause a glowing splint to relight.
Hydrogen test
Hydrogen in a flame will cause a 'squeaky pop' sound.
Carbon Dioxide Test
Carbon dioxide causes limewater to change for clear to cloudy/milky.
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Term 1: Physics- Electricity
Students will explore microstructure of conductors, semiconductors and insulators to design components and build electric circuits. They will investigate electricity in the home and make evaluations of products in terms of their power and energy transfer.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Current
Flow of electrons/electric charge. Measured in amps (A).
Diode
Will only allow current to flow one way through it.
Direct current (DC)
Current that flows in one direction.
Electric field
The area around a charged object where its force can be felt. The field is strongest when close to the charged object.
Light dependent resistor (LDR)
A light dependent resistor. The resistance decreases as light intensity increases.
National Grid
A system of cables and transformers linking power stations to consumers
Parallel circuit
There are two or more parallel 'branches' providing more than one path the electrons can follow around the circuit.
Potential difference
The potential difference between two points in a circuit is the work done when a coulomb of charge passes between the points. Measured in volts (V). A potential difference is needed for a current to flow.
Resistance
A measure of how easy it is for electrons to flow. Measured in ohms (Ω). If the resistance increases it is harder for electrons to flow so current decreases.
Series circuit
All of the components are in a single loop. There is only one path that electrons can follow around the circuit.
Static electricity
When two insulating materials are rubbed together, the friction causes electrons to move from one object to the other. The object that loses electrons becomes positively charged. The objects that gains electrons becomes negatively charged.
Thermistor
A temperature dependent resistor. Resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Voltmeter
Used to measure the potential difference across a component. Must be connected in parallel.
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Term 2: Biology- Bioenergetics
In this unit, students will explore how plants harness the Sun’s energy in photosynthesis in order to make food. This process liberates oxygen which has built up over millions of years in the Earth’s atmosphere. Students will also learn about how both animals and plants use this oxygen to oxidise food in a process called aerobic respiration. Finally students will learn how plants and animals can anaerobically respire and the link between bioenergetic processes with metabolism.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Photosynthesis
Endothermic process through which plants convert carbon dioxide and water in glucose and oxygen, in the presence of light.
Aerobic Respiration
Process which releases energy and changes glucose into carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of oxygen.
Animal Anaerobic Respiration
Process which releases energy and changes glucose into lactic acid, in the presence of a limited supply of oxygen.
Lactic Acid
Poison released during anaerobic respiration in humans, which can cause cramp or muscle fatigue.
Metabolism
Metabolism is the sum of all the reactions in a cell or the body.
Mitochondria
Organelle in cells where the process of respiration occurs.
Chlorophyll
Chemical that provides a place for photosynthesis to take place in plants.
Glucose
Sugar used up in respiration and made during photosynthesis. Stored in plants n their cell walls, as fat or oils or as starch.
Oxygen Debt
The amount of extra oxygen the body needs after exercise to react with the
accumulated lactic acid and remove it from the cells.
Plant Anaerobic Respiration
Process which releases energy and changes glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide, in the presence of a limited supply of oxygen.
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Term 2: Chemistry- Chemical Changes
Students will gain an understanding of chemical changes. They will study the reactions of acids and alkalis with metals, metal oxides, meal hydroxides and metal carbonates. The concept of oxidation and reduction will be introduced, and students will carry out practical activities to make a soluble salt such as copper sulfate.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Oxidation
The process by which a compound or elements loses electrons.
Reduction
The process by which a compound or elements gains electrons.
Salt
Compound made when acids and alkalis react together. Examples include sulphates, nitrates and chlorides.
Filtration
Experimental technique where insoluble substances are remove from a solution.
Crystallisation
Experimental technique by which water is removed from a substance.
Electrolysis
Process of separating a compound using electrodes and electricity.
Acid
These produce hydrogen ions (H+) in aqueous solutions and a pH of below 7.
Alkali
An aqueous solutions which contains hydroxide ions (OH–) and has a pH of above 7.
Cathode
Negative electrode used during electrolysis. Often Hydrogen is released here.
Anode
Positive electrode used in electrolysis. Often Oxygen is released here.
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Term 2, Term 3: Physics- Forces
Students examine forces and their effects on objects. They will look at both contact and non-contact forces and will calculate resultant forces. Students will also learn about Newton's laws of motion.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Air resistance
The frictional force caused by air on a moving object
Atmospheric pressure
The pressure felt by any surface within the atmosphere, due to air molecules colliding with the surface
Braking distance
The braking distance is the distance a vehicle travels after the brakes are applied until it comes to a complete stop, as a result of the braking force
Conservation of momentum
In a closed-system the total momentum before an event is the same as the total momentum after the event
Contact force
A force acting between/on objects that are touching
Displacement
The straight-line distance and direction from an object's starting position to its finishing position
Distance-time graph
A graph showing how the distance travelled by an object changes over a period of time.
Drag
The frictional force caused by any fluid (a liquid or gas) on a moving object
Force
A push or a pull on an object caused by interacting with something
Lever
A device that increases the distance between an applied force
Limit of proportionality
The point beyond which the force is applied to an elastic object is no longer directly proportional to the extension of the object
Model
Used to describe or display how an object of system behaves in reality
Moment
The turning effect of a force
Momentum
A property of a moving object that is the product of its mass and velocity
Newton's first law
An object will remain at rest or travelling at a constant velocity unless it is acted on by a resultant force
Newton's second law
The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the resultant force acting on it, and inversely proportional to its mass
Newton's third law
When two objects interact, they exert equal and opposite forces on each other
Non-contact force
A force that can act between objects that are not touching
Pressure
The force per unit area exerted on a surface
Reaction time
the time taken for a person to react after an event (e.g. seeing a hazard)
Resultant force
A single force that can replace all forces acting on an object to give the same effect as the original forces acting altogether
Scalar
A quantity that has magnitude but no direction
Speed
How quickly an object is travelling
Stopping distance
The distance travelled by a vehicle in the time between the driver seeing a hazard and coming to a stop. It is the sum of the thinking and braking distance
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Term 2 and Term 3: Biology- Homeostasis and response
Students will explore the structure and function of the nervous system and how it can bring about fast responses. They will also learn about the hormonal system which usually brings about much slower changes. Students will consider hormonal coordination and its importance in reproduction and the menstrual cycle, and for the control of blood glucose levels.
40 minute test with GCSE questions.
Homeostasis
The regulation of internal conditions to maintain optimum conditions in response to changes
Stimulus
A change in the environment
Receptors
Cells that detect changes in the environment
Coordination centres
Receive and process information from receptors. E.g. brain
Effectors
Muscles or glands which bring about a response
Reflex Action
An automatic and rapid action
Endocrine System
Consists of glands that release hormones into the blood to get to a target organ to cause a response
Insulin
Released from the pancreas in response to high blood glucose levels and causes glucose to move from the blood into the cells. It causes glucose to be converted into glycogen for storage in the liver
Glucagon
Released from the pancreas in response to low blood glucose levels and causes glycogen to be broken down into glucose and released back into the blood
Type 1 Diabetes
When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin
Type 2 Diabetes
When the body cells no longer respond to insulin
Oestrogen
Released by the ovaries. Stops FSH being released and stimulates LH to be released
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Hormone released by the pituitary gland. Causes maturation of the egg in the ovary.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Hormone released by the pituitary gland. Causes the egg to be released from the ovary.
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Term 3: Chemistry- Quantitative Chemistry
Students will use chemical formulas to calculate amounts of substances in different masses and volumes. They will use quantitative analysis to determine the formulae of compounds and the equations for reactions. Using this information, students will use quantitative methods to determine the purity of chemical samples and their percentage yield.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Relative Formula Mass
Relative atomic masses of the atoms in a compound.
Conservation of Mass
During a chemical reaction, no atoms are destroyed or made, so the mass of the products are the same as the mass of the reactants.
Mole
The amount of a substance that contains 6.02 x 1023 particles.
Limiting Reagent
The reactant that is used up in a reaction.
Relative Atomic Mass
The average mass of an element.
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Term 3: Chemistry- Electrolysis and Energy Changes
This topic begins, with students learning about electrolysis and how it can be used to separate metal ores and aqueous solutions. Students will learn about how energy changes are an important part of chemical reactions. They will learn about exothermic and endothermic reactions, as well as how to calculate bond enthalpies and interpret enthalpy profile diagrams. The learning in this topic is supported by various practical investigations and experiments.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Catalyst
Chemical that reduces the activation energy required for a reaction, without being used up itself.
Activation Energy
Minimum energy required to start a reaction
Endothermic
Reaction where energy is taken in and temperature outside decreases
Exothermic
Reaction where energy is released and temperature outside increases
Atom
Smallest part of an element that can take part in chemical reactions
Element
Substance made up of identical atoms
Compound
A substance that contains two or more elements chemically bonded. All compounds are molecules.
Mixture
Two or more substances that are mixed but are not chemically combined
Molecule
A particle containing two or more atoms chemically bonded together
Reactants
The substances present before the chemical reaction takes place
Products
The substances that are formed during the chemical reaction
Chemical Formula
Tells you how many atoms of each element the substance contains
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Term 4: April End of Year Assessment.
Most of this term 4 will be devoted to reviewing Y9 Biology content (Cell Biology, Organisation and Infection and Response), Y9 Chemistry content (Atomic Structure, Periodic Table and Bonding) and Y9 Physics content (Energy, Particle Model and Matter and Atomic Structure).
This will give students quality time in the classroom to ensure any missed learning or misconceptions are sorted before the year 10 examinations in April.
End of year examination in April. Students will sit the mock GCSE Paper 1 series for Combined Science, in biology, chemistry and physics. All papers are worth 70 marks and take 1hr and 15 minutes to complete. Calculators are allowed in every paper, and a periodic table can be used for chemistry and an equations sheet can be used for physics.
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Term 5 and Term 6: Biology- Ecology
Students will learn about the different ecosystems and how organisms adapt to survive. Topics include biotic & abiotic factors, food chains, biodiversity and global warming. In addition students will how substances such as carbon and water are cycled through the environment and about the different strategies humans are using to manage waste.
Those students on the separate science pathway will begin to learn the necessary content for their course specification.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Global warming
Process by which the world average temperature is increasing, caused by an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Deforestation
Process of cutting down trees and clearing forests.
Interdependence
Each species in a community depending on one another e.g. food, shelter, seed dispersal, pollination. If one species is removed, it can affect the whole community
Abiotic factors
Non-living factors that can affect a community e.g. light, temperature, soil pH
Biotic factors
Living factors that can affect a community e.g. availability of food, new predators arriving, new pathogens
Adaptations
Features that enable organisms to survive in the conditions in which they normally live. They could be behavioural, structural or functional
Producer
Starts off a food chain. Usually a green plant or alga that photosynthesises. Eaten by primary consumers
Quadrat
Square frame used to count organisms to estimate a population, e.g. random sampling
Transect
A straight line where samples are taken at regular intervals using a quadrat
Predator
Consumer that kills and eats other animals
Carbon cycle
Returns carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be used by plants in photosynthesis
Water cycle
Provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining into seas. Water is continuously evaporated and precipitated
Biodiversity
The variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or within an ecosystem
Pollution
Can occur on land, in water, in the air. Pollution kills plants and animals which reduces biodiversity
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Term 5: Chemistry- Chemistry of the Atmopshere
Students will learn about the composition of today's atmosphere, and how this has evolved over time. They will also learn about the importance of the greenhouse effect, and the effect of increases in carbon dioxide and methane on global warming. Students will analyse their own carbon footprint, and the they will also investigate the causes of acid rain.
Those students on the separate science pathway will begin to learn the necessary content for their course specification.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
carbon footprint
The carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event
nitrogen
Common atmospheric gas on Earth. Makes up around 80% of the atmosphere.
oxygen
Common atmospheric gas on Earth. Makes up around 20% of the atmosphere.
early atmopshere
The Earth's atmosphere over 4 billion years, which contained mainly carbon dioxide.
methane
Major greenhouse gas. Mains sources include cattle farms.
carbon dioxide
Major greenhouse gas. Emitted from burning of fossil fuels for energy and transport.
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Term 6: Chemistry- Using Resources
Students will study the earth's natural resources from a chemical perspective. Topics include the treatment of wastewater, life-cycle assessments and recycling.
Those students on the separate science pathway will begin to learn the necessary content for their course specification.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
potable water
Water that is safe for human consumption.
sterilisation
Process by which water is treated with chlorine gas, UV light or ozone to make it safe to drink.
fresh water
Water that comes from lakes, rivers, reservoirs or streams. Main drinking water source in the UK.
desalination
Process of of making seawater safe to drink. Can be achieved through reverse osmosis or distillation.
phytomining
Process of extracting low grade copper from the ground using plants.
bioleaching
Process of extracting low grade copper from the ground using bacteria.
life cycle assessment
A life cycle assessment (LCA) is an analysis of the overall environmental impact that a product may have throughout its lifetime.
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Term 5 and Term 6: Physics - Electromagnetism
Students will study magnetic forces, magnetic fields and the magnetic effect of a solenoid. As the topic progresses, students will learn about the generator effect, electric motors and how transformers work.
Those students on the separate science pathway will begin to learn the necessary content for their course specification.
30 minute exam paper with GCSE style questions.
Electromagnet
A soft metal core made into a magnet by the passage of electric current through a coil surrounding it.
Attraction
The electric or magnetic force that acts between oppositely charged bodies, tending to draw them together.
Repulsion
The force that acts between bodies of like electric charge or magnetic polarity, tending to separate them.
Current
The time rate of flow of electric charge, in the direction that a positive moving charge would take and having magnitude equal to the quantity of charge per unit time: measured in amperes.
Magnetic flux density
The strength of a magnetic field.
Magnetic field
Region in which magnetic materials feel a force.
Motor
Machine that changes electrical energy into kinetic energy through the process of the motor effect
Solenoid
Long coil of wire. Has the same shaped magnetic field as a bar magnet.
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