Combined Science study guides

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 1 (CB1) Key concepts in biology. Covers eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure, specialised cells, microscopy and the magnification equation, enzymes and the lock and key model, and movement of substances by diffusion, osmosis and active transport, with the core practicals and exam patterns.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 2 (CB2) Cells and control. Covers the cell cycle and mitosis, growth in animals and plants, percentile charts, stem cells and their uses, the structure of the nervous system, the reflex arc, and the three types of neurone, with exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 3 (CB3) Genetics. Covers DNA, genes and chromosomes, the genome, sexual and asexual reproduction, meiosis, monohybrid crosses with Punnett squares, dominant and recessive alleles, ratios and probability, the causes of variation, and mutations, with the exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 4 (CB4) Natural selection and genetic modification. Covers Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, the role of mutation, evidence from fossils and antibiotic resistance, the formation of new species, selective breeding, genetic engineering and the benefits and concerns of GM technology.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 5 (CB5) Health, disease and the development of medicines. Covers communicable diseases and the four pathogens, how pathogens spread, the body's defences, the immune response and antibodies, vaccination, non-communicable diseases and risk factors, and how new drugs are developed and tested.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 6 (CB6) Plant structures and their functions. Covers photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction and its equation, the limiting factors, leaf structure and adaptations, transport through the xylem and phloem, and transpiration, with the core practical and exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 7 (CB7) Animal coordination, control and homeostasis. Covers the endocrine system and hormones, homeostasis and negative feedback, the control of blood glucose by insulin and glucagon, and type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with the exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 8 (CB8) Exchange and transport in animals and Topic 9 (CB9) Ecosystems and material cycles. Covers exchange surfaces, the lungs and gas exchange, the circulatory system and blood, levels of organisation, abiotic and biotic factors, the carbon, water and nitrogen cycles, and human effects on biodiversity.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 1 (CC1) Key concepts in chemistry. Covers atomic structure, atomic number and mass number, isotopes, electronic configuration, the periodic table, and ionic, covalent and metallic bonding with the properties each structure gives, plus the exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 2 (CC2) States of matter and mixtures. Covers the particle model and the three states of matter, changes of state, the difference between pure substances and mixtures, and the separation techniques of filtration, crystallisation, distillation and chromatography, with the exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 3 (CC3) Chemical changes and Topic 4 (CC4) Extracting metals. Covers acids, alkalis and the pH scale, neutralisation, reactions of acids, making soluble salts, electrolysis, the reactivity series, displacement reactions, oxidation and reduction, and metal extraction by carbon or electrolysis.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 7 (CC7) Rates of reaction and energy changes, with the group trends from Topic 6 (CC6). Covers the factors affecting rate, collision theory, catalysts, measuring rate, exothermic and endothermic reactions, reaction profiles and activation energy, and the reactivity trends of groups 1, 7 and 0.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 8 (CC8) Fuels and Earth science. Covers crude oil and hydrocarbons, fractional distillation, complete and incomplete combustion, the pollutants from burning fuels, the evolution and composition of the Earth's atmosphere, the greenhouse effect and climate change.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 10 (CP10) Electricity and circuits. Covers current, potential difference and resistance, the equation V = IR, Ohm's law, the current-voltage characteristics of resistors, lamps and diodes, series and parallel circuits, electrical power and energy, and the mains supply.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 12 (CP12) Magnetism and the motor effect and Topic 13 (CP13) Electromagnetic induction. Covers permanent and induced magnets, magnetic fields, the field around a wire and a solenoid, electromagnets, the motor effect, and an introduction to electromagnetic induction, with the exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 14 (CP14) Particle model. Covers the particle model and the states of matter, the density equation, internal energy, specific heat capacity, changes of state and specific latent heat, with the core practical and exam patterns Edexcel repeats.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 15 (CP15) Forces and matter. Covers elastic and inelastic deformation, Hooke's law and the spring constant, the equation F = ke, the limit of proportionality, the force-extension graph, and the elastic potential energy stored in a stretched spring, with the core practical.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 2 (CP2) Motion and forces. Covers distance, displacement, speed and velocity, the equations for speed and acceleration, the uniform acceleration equation, distance-time and velocity-time graphs, contact and non-contact forces, Newton's three laws, F = ma, mass and weight, and stopping distances.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 3 (CP3) Conservation of energy and Topic 8 (CP8) Energy - forces doing work. Covers energy stores and transfers, conservation of energy, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, work done, power, efficiency, dissipation, and renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 4 (CP4) Waves and Topic 5 (CP5) Light and the electromagnetic spectrum. Covers transverse and longitudinal waves, the wave quantities, the wave equation, reflection and refraction, the electromagnetic spectrum and its order, and the uses and dangers of each type of radiation.

A deep-dive Edexcel GCSE Combined Science guide to Topic 6 (CP6) Radioactivity. Covers atomic structure and isotopes, alpha, beta and gamma radiation and their properties, nuclear decay, half-life and activity, and the dangers and uses of radioactivity, with the exam patterns Edexcel repeats.