Term 1: Genes- Evolution and Inheritance
How traits and characteristics are inherited. The applications of this knowledge in selective breeding and genetic engineering. Looking at environmental variation in more detail. There are two topics for each half term. Pairs will not necessarily be taught in the order that they are listed here - topics may be taught on a rotational basis. Teaching timeline may change to accommodate classes that are shared between science staff.
Short in class assessment.
Gene
A unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.
DNA
A molecule found in the nucleus of cells that contains genetic information.
Chromosomes
Thread-like structures containing tightly coiled DNA.
Inherited characteristics
Features that are passed from parents to their offspring.
Population
Group of organisms of the same kind living in the same place.
Extinct
When no more individuals of a species remain.
Biodiversity
The variety of living things. It is measured as the differences between individuals of the same species, or the number of different species in an ecosystem.
Competition
When two or more living things struggle against each other to get the same resource.
Mutation
The changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form which may be transmitted to subsequent generations
Evolution
Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, often resulting in the development of new species.
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Term 1: Electromagnets - (Electromagents and Magnetism)
Students will study electromagnetism and look at the use of solenoids and current in changing the strength of an electromagnet. They will also look at magnet fields and make predictions about magnetic materials. Teaching timeline may change to accommodate classes that are shared between science staff.
A short in-class assessment.
Electromagnet
A non-permanent magnet turned on and off by controlling the current through it.
Solenoid
Wire wound into a tight coil, part of an electromagnet.
Core
Soft iron metal which the solenoid is wrapped around.
Magnetic Force
Non-contact force from a magnet on a magnetic material.
Permanent Magnet
An object that is magnetic all of the time.
Magnetic Poles
The ends of a magnetic field, called north-seeking (N) and south-seeking poles (S).
Field
The area where other objects feel a gravitational force.
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Term 2: Cell Biology
Students will learn about the structure of cells and the function of the organelles within a plant, animal and bacteria cell. They will also study how cells divide via mitosis, debate the role of stem cells in medical research and discuss how substances are transported via diffusion, osmosis and active transport. Teaching timeline may change to accommodate classes that are shared between science staff.
30 minute test with GCSE exam questions.
Nucleus
An organelle that controls the cell and contains the genetic information.
Cell membrane
A layer around the cell which helps control substances entering and leaving the cell.
Cell wall
A layer lying outside the cell membrane that provides structure to plant, fungi and bacteria cells.
Prokaryotic
Single cells of bacteria and Archaeans with DNA found in a loop not enclosed in a nucleus.
Specialised
When cells or tissues become adapted to carry out their specific function.
Mitosis
Cell division that results in genetically identical diploid cells.
Stem cell
Unspecialised body cells (found in bone marrow, umbilical cord or embryos) that can develop into other, specialised cells that the body needs.
Diffusion
The movement of particles from a high concentration to low concentration.
Osmosis
The movement of water particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
Active transport
The movement of particles from an area of low concentration to high concentration, through the use of energy.
Develop the individual:
Understanding about individual differences and being aware of genetic disorders and the growing importance of stem cells in medical research.
Create a supportive community:
Individuals are aware of the needs of others and are accepting of different beliefs and opinions on matters such as embryo screening.
Term 2: Atomic structure and the Periodic Table
Students will learn about the structure of the atom and the differences between compounds, elements and mixtures. They will also study the history of the periodic table and the modern day periodic table, focusing on the properties of group 0, 1 and 7 elements. Teaching timeline may change to accommodate classes that are shared between science staff.
30 minute test with GCSE exam questions.
Compound
Pure substances made up of two or more elements strongly joined together.
Atom
The basic “building block” of an element which cannot be chemically broken down.
Element
A substance made out of only one type of atom.
Mixture
The combination of different compounds that are not chemically combined.
Proton
Small positive particle found in the nucleus of an atom.
Electron
Small negatively charged particle within an atom that orbit the nucleus.
Neutron
A small particle which does not have a charge and found in the nucleus of an atom.
Ion
A charged particle (can be positive or negative).
Isotope
Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Formulae
A concise way of expressing information symbolically using mathematical or chemical formulae.
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Term 3: Organisation
Students will study the principles of organisation in plants and animals. Students will learn about the respiratory system, digestive system, the structure of the heart and blood.
30 minute test with GCSE exam questions.
Enzymes
Biological catalysts, used in the human body to breakdown large food molecules into smaller ones.
Bile
Alkaline substance produced from the liver and stored in the gall bladder, which helps to breakdown fats.
Protease
Enzymes that changes protein into amino acids.
Amylase
Enzymes that changes starch into glucose.
Lipase
Enzymes that changes fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
Arteries
Blood vessels that take blood away from the heart under high pressure.
Veins
Blood vessels that take blood towards the heart at low pressure.
Xylem
Tubes that transport water and minerals upwards, starting at the roots of a plant.
Phloem
Tubes that form a two-way transport system for the movement of sugars around a plant.
Risk Factor
A factor linked to an increased rate of a disease, such as diet, smoking and exposure to carcinogens.
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Term 4: Bonding and structure
Students will learn how compounds form, through ionic, covalent and metallic bonding. Students will look at the uses of different structures such as nanoparticles, alloys and graphene.
30 minute test with GCSE exam questions.
Ionic bond
A chemical bond between two ions of opposite charges.
Covalent bond
Bonds between atoms where some of the electrons are shared.
Metallic bond
The bond between close-packed metal ions due to delocalised electrons.
Delocalised electrons
Electrons which are free to move away through a collection of ions – as in a metal.
Intermolecular force
A force between different molecules.
Monomer
A molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer.
Polymer
Very large molecules with atoms linked to other atoms by covalent bonds.
Alloy
Formed when two metals, or a metal and a non-metal are mixed together to form a substance with different useful properties.
Nanoparticle
Very small particles on the nanoscale.
State
The condition a material is found in, can be one of four states: solid, liquid, gas or plasma.
Develop the individual:
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Term 4: Energy
Students will learn about different types of energy. They will use their mathematical skills to help understand energy transfers. Students learn to recall and apply the equations for kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, power and efficiency.
30 minute test with GCSE exam questions.
Potential Energy
Energy associated with an object because of its position or the arrangement of the particles of a system.
Kinetic energy
Kinetic energy, describes the of a moving object, and can be calculated the mass and speed of said object.
Specific Heat Capacity
The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1⁰C.
Efficiency
Useful output energy transfer divided by the total input energy transfer – may be expressed as a percentage or as a decimal.
Renewable
A source of energy that can be replaced or reused over a short time.
Non-renewable
A source of energy used by humans that will eventually run out.
Conservation of energy
A fundamental principle of physics: energy cannot be created or destroyed, only stored, transferred or dissipated. This means that the total energy of a closed system is constant.
Dissipation
The spreading out of energy into the environment, so that it is sorted in less useful ways.
Insulation
A material that does not allow electric charges or the transfer of thermal energy.
Power
The rate at which energy is transferred or the rate at which work is done; an energy transfer of 1 J/s is equal to a power of 1 W.
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Students will have the opportunity to compare advantages and disadvantages of renewable sources of energy, and understand the importance and difficulties of establishing a greener future.
Term 5: Particle Model of Matter and Atomic Structure
Students learn about the particle model and how it is widely used to predict the behaviour of solids, liquids and gases and this has many applications in everyday life. Students will learn how to calculate specific heat capacity and specific latent heat. For the topic of atomic structure, the focus will be on looking at the history of the atomic model, and learning about the different types of radioactive decay. They will learn about the uses of radiation in energy generation, in medicine and potential risks of these for society.
30 minute test with GCSE exam questions.
Alpha particle
Made up of two protons and two neutrons (the same as a helium nucleus). Positively charged. Stopped by paper or skin. Has a range in air of a few cm. Highly ionising.
Atomic number
The number of protons in an atom (also the same as the number of electrons in the neutral atom but this isn't the definition - if asked what atomic number represents, mention protons!)
Background radiation
Radiation that is around us all of the time. It comes from both natural sources (e.g. rocks, cosmic rays from space) and man - made sources (e.g. fall out from nuclear weapons testing and nuclear accidents)
Beta particle
A fast moving electron given out by the nucleus (a neutron turns in to a proton and gives out an electron). Negatively charged. Stopped by a few mm of aluminium. Can travel about 1 m in air. Less ionising than alpha particles.
Contamination
The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms either on or in an object (including humans!) These atoms could decay which could cause harm.
Gamma ray
Electromagnetic radiation given out by the nucleus. It travels as a wave (is not a particle). Is uncharged. Has an unlimited range in air. Can be reduced by thick lead or concrete.
Half - life
The time it takes for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve or the time it takes for the count rate/activity of a sample to fall to half its initial value.
Ion
An atom becomes a positive ion if it loses one or more electrons. An atom becomes a negative ion if it gains one or more electrons.
Irradiation
Process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation. The object itself does not become radioactive e.g. sterilising surgical instruments
Isotopes
Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Mass number
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Neutron
Particles found in the nucleus that have no electrical charge (they are neutral).
Nuclear Fission
The splitting of a large, unstable nucleus in to two smaller nuclei. Two or three neutrons are also given out. Energy is released by the reaction. This is what happens inside a nuclear reactor.
Nuclear Fusion
The joining together of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. In this process, some of the mass may be converted in to energy. This is the process that occurs in stars.
Nucleus
Positively charged, found at the centre of the atom. Contains protons and neutrons. Most of the mass of an atom is found here.
Plum pudding model
This early model suggested that an atom was a ball of positive charge with electrons embedded in it (think chocolate chip muffin!)
Proton
Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.
Radioactive decay
A random process by which an unstable nucleus changes to become more stable. It does this through the emission (giving out) of an alpha particle, a beta particle and/or a gamma ray.
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Term 6: End of Year Assessment
During term 6, year 9 students will sit an end of year assessment, that tests their knowledge and understanding of all topics studied during the academic year. In class there will be an opportunity to revise these topics to aid students in maximising their assessment grade.
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Term 6: Energy Changes
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 test with GCSE exam questions.
exothermic
An exothermic reaction is one that transfers energy to the surroundings so the temperature of the surroundings increases.
endothermic
An endothermic reaction is one that takes in energy from the surroundings so the temperature of the surroundings decreases.
activation energy
The minimum amount of energy that particles must have to react.
reaction profile diagram
Reaction profiles can be used to show the relative energies of reactants and products, the activation energy and the overall energy change of a reaction.
bond enthalpy
This is the amount of energy required to break the bond or the amount of energy given out when the bond is formed
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