England · AQASyllabus
Combined Science syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the England Combined Sciencesyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Biology: Bioenergetics
Module overview →- How do organisms transfer the energy they need through photosynthesis and respiration?Photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction, the factors limiting its rate, the uses of glucose, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, the difference between the two, and how the body responds to exercise.8 min answer →
- How are cells structured, how do they divide, and how do substances move in and out of them?Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, sub-cellular structures, cell specialisation and differentiation, microscopy and magnification, chromosomes and the cell cycle (mitosis), stem cells, and transport by diffusion, osmosis and active transport.9 min answer →
- How do organisms interact with each other and their environment, and how do humans affect ecosystems?Communities and competition, abiotic and biotic factors, adaptations, levels of organisation and feeding relationships, the carbon and water cycles, biodiversity and the human impact on ecosystems including pollution, land use and climate change.8 min answer →
- How does the body keep its internal conditions stable and respond to changes around it?Homeostasis and control systems, the nervous system and reflexes, the structure and function of the brain and eye (separate sciences), hormonal coordination by the endocrine system, the control of blood glucose, and human reproduction hormones.9 min answer →
- What causes communicable disease, how does the body defend itself, and how are diseases prevented and treated?Communicable diseases caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists); examples in plants and animals; the human defence systems; vaccination, antibiotics and painkillers; and the discovery and development of drugs.8 min answer →
- How is information passed on through genes, and how do species change over time?Sexual and asexual reproduction, meiosis, DNA and the genome, genetic inheritance and inherited disorders, variation and mutation, evolution by natural selection, selective breeding, genetic engineering, and evidence for evolution including fossils and extinction.9 min answer →
- How are cells organised into tissues, organs and systems, and how do the digestive, circulatory and plant transport systems work?Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems; enzymes and the digestive system; the heart, blood vessels and blood; coronary heart disease and health; and transport in plants by the xylem and phloem with transpiration.9 min answer →
Chemistry: Chemistry of the atmosphere and using resources
Module overview →- How did Earth's atmosphere form, and how do we use and protect our resources?The evolution of the atmosphere and the present composition, greenhouse gases and climate change, atmospheric pollutants from fuels, and using the Earth's resources sustainably including potable water and recycling.8 min answer →
- What are atoms made of, and how does the periodic table organise the elements?Atoms, elements and compounds, the development of the atomic model, the structure of the atom and electronic structure, isotopes and relative atomic mass, the periodic table and its development, and the properties of metals, non-metals, Group 1, Group 7 and Group 0.9 min answer →
- How are atoms held together, and how does bonding explain the properties of materials?The three types of bonding (ionic, covalent and metallic), how to represent them, the states of matter and changes of state, and how the structures of ionic compounds, small molecules, giant covalent structures, polymers and metals explain their properties.9 min answer →
- How do chemists test for and identify the substances in a sample?Pure substances and formulations, chromatography and the Rf value, and the tests for common gases (hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and chlorine).7 min answer →
- How do metals, acids and bases react, and how can we use electrolysis to extract elements?The reactivity series and metal extraction, the reactions of acids with metals, bases and carbonates, neutralisation and the pH scale, making soluble salts, and electrolysis of molten compounds and aqueous solutions.9 min answer →
- Why do some reactions release energy and others take it in?Exothermic and endothermic reactions and their everyday uses, reaction profiles and activation energy, and the energy changes involved in breaking and making bonds.8 min answer →
- Where do fuels and plastics come from, and what are hydrocarbons?Crude oil, hydrocarbons and the alkanes, fractional distillation and the uses of fractions, the properties of hydrocarbons and combustion, and cracking to produce alkenes and more useful products.8 min answer →
- How do chemists count and measure the amounts of substances in a reaction?Conservation of mass and balanced equations, relative formula mass, the mole and Avogadro's number, calculating amounts and masses in reactions, limiting reactants, and concentration of solutions.8 min answer →
- What controls how fast a reaction goes and how far it proceeds?Calculating and measuring rate of reaction, the factors affecting rate and collision theory, the action of catalysts, and reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium including Le Chatelier's principle.8 min answer →
Physics: Atomic structure
Module overview →- What is inside an atom, and how does radioactive decay work?The structure of the atom and the development of the nuclear model, isotopes, the types of nuclear radiation (alpha, beta and gamma), radioactive decay and nuclear equations, half-life, and the dangers and uses of radiation.8 min answer →
- What are current, potential difference and resistance, and how do circuits and mains electricity work?Standard circuit symbols, current, potential difference and resistance, the I-V characteristics of components, series and parallel circuits, mains electricity and the three-pin plug, and electrical power and energy.9 min answer →
- How is energy stored, transferred and conserved, and how can we use it efficiently?Energy stores and systems, calculating kinetic, gravitational and elastic energy, the conservation and dissipation of energy, efficiency and reducing unwanted transfers, and national and global energy resources.8 min answer →
- How do forces change the motion of objects, and how do we describe that motion?Scalar and vector quantities, contact and non-contact forces, weight and resultant forces, work done, forces and elasticity, distance, speed and acceleration, Newton's laws of motion, and stopping distances.9 min answer →
- How are magnetism and electricity linked, and how does that make motors work?Permanent and induced magnets and magnetic fields, the magnetic effect of a current and solenoids, electromagnets, and the motor effect including Fleming's left-hand rule.8 min answer →
- How does the particle model explain density, changes of state and pressure?The particle model and density of materials, the changes of state and internal energy, specific heat capacity and specific latent heat, and the effect of temperature on the pressure of a gas.8 min answer →
- How do waves transfer energy, and what is the electromagnetic spectrum?Transverse and longitudinal waves, the wave equation and wave properties, the reflection of waves, the electromagnetic spectrum and its properties, and the uses and dangers of electromagnetic waves.8 min answer →