What does the course cover? The programme of study and curriculum links

Cells

Topics: 

• 1.1 Plant and animal cells 
• 1.2 Cells specialisation 
• 1.3 Respiration 
• 1.4 Diffusion 
• 1.5 REACH – Prokaryotic cells 
• 1.6 REACH – Active transport 

• Cells as the fundamental unit of living organisms. 
• The functions of the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuole, mitochondria and chloroplasts. 
• The similarities and differences between plant and animal cells. 
• The role of diffusion in the movement of materials in and between cells. 
• The structural adaptations of some unicellular organisms. 

7Bs.01 Understand that all organisms are made of cells and microorganisms are typically single celled. 

7Bs.02 Identify and describe the functions of cell structures (limited to cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, cell wall, chloroplast, mitochondria and sap vacuole). 

7Bs.03 Explain how the structures of some specialised cells are related to their functions (including red blood cells, neurones, ciliated cells, root hair cells and palisade cells). 

7Bs.04 Describe the similarities and differences between the structures of plant and animal cells. 

8Bs.04 Describe the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and the air in the lungs.  

Cell systems 

Topics: 

• 1.7 Cells to organ systems 
• 1.8 Digestive system and enzymes 
• 1.9 Respiratory system and gas exchange 
• 1.10 Leaf structure and photosynthesis 
• 1.11 REACH – Circulatory system 
• 1.12 REACH – Transpiration 

• The hierarchical organisation of multicellular organisms: from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms. 
• …. how the digestive system digests food (enzymes simply as biological catalysts). 
• The structure and functions of the gas exchange system in humans, including adaptations to function. 
• The mechanism of breathing to move air in and out of the lungs. 
• The role of leaf stomata in gas exchange in plants. 
• The adaptations of leaves for photosynthesis. 
• The reactants in, and products of, photosynthesis, and a word summary for photosynthesis. 

7Bs.05 Understand that cells can be grouped together to form tissues, organs and organ systems. 

8Bs.03 Describe how the structure of the human respiratory system is related to its function of gas exchange (in terms of lung structure) and understand the difference between breathing and respiration. 

8Bs.04 Describe the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and the air in the lungs. 

9Bp.07 Know and use the summary word equation for photosynthesis (carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen, in the presence of light and chlorophyll). 

9Bs.01 Describe the pathway of water and mineral salts from the roots to the leaves in flowering plants, including absorption in root hair cells, transport through xylem and transpiration from the surface of leaves. 

ASSIGNMENT ONE (including Practical One)

Module Two

National Curriculum Link

Cambridge Curriculum link

Coursebook Pages

The particle model and state change

Topics: 

• 2.1 The particle model 
• 2.2 Substances  
• 2.3 States of matter and Sublimation 
• 2.4 REACH – Energy transfer and Changes of state 
• 2.5 REACH – Limitations of the particle model 

• The properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure. 
• Changes of state in terms of the particle model.

7Cm.06 Describe the three states of matter as solid, liquid and gas in terms of the arrangement, separation and motion of particles. 

8Pf.06 Use particle theory to explain pressures in gases and liquids (qualitative only). 

Atoms and the Periodic Table 

Topics: 

• 2.6 Development of the periodic table 
• 2.7 Inside atoms 
• 2.8 Metals and non-metals 
• 2.9 Elements, compounds and mixtures 
• 2.10 REACH – Electronic structure and Bonding 

• The principles underpinning the Mendeleev Periodic Table. 
• The Periodic Table: periods and groups; metals and nonmetals. 
• How patterns in reactions can be predicted with reference to the Periodic Table. 
• A simple (Dalton) atomic model. 
• Differences between atoms, elements and compounds 

7Cm.02 Know that the Periodic Table presents the known elements in an order. 

7Cm.03 Know metals and non-metals as the two main groupings of elements. 

9Cp.01 Understand that the groups within the Periodic Table have trends in physical and chemical properties, using group 1 as an example. 

9Cm.01 Understand that the structure of the Periodic Table is related to the atomic structure of the elements and the Periodic Table can be used to predict an element’s structure and properties. 

7Cm.01 Understand that all matter is made of atoms, with each different type of atom being a different element. 

7Cm.04 Describe the differences between elements, compounds and mixtures, including alloys as an example of a mixture. 

7Cm.07 Use the particle model to represent elements, compounds and mixtures. 

8Cm.01 Describe the Rutherford model of the structure of an atom. 

8Cm.02 Know that electrons have negative charge, protons have positive charge and neutrons have no charge.  

9Cp.04 Know that elements and compounds exist in structures (simple or giant), and this influences their physical properties.   

8Cm.03 Know that the electrostatic attraction between positive and negative charge is what holds together individual atoms.  

9Cm.05 Describe an ionic bond as an attraction between a positively charged ion and a negatively charged ion.  

9Cm.04 Describe an ion as an atom which has gained at least one electron to be negatively charged or lost at least one electron to be positively charged.  9Cm.02 Understand that a molecule is formed when two or more atoms join together chemically, through a covalent bond.   

9Cm.03 Describe a covalent bond as a bond made when a pair of electrons is shared by two atoms (limited to single bonds).

Module Three: Physics One 

National Curriculum Link 

Cambridge Curriculum link 

Coursebook Pages 

Forces and motion 

Topics: 

• 3.1 Forces and interactions 

• 3.2 Mass, weight and fields 

• 3.3 Speed and distance-time graphs  

• 3.4 Balanced and unbalanced 

• 3.5 REACH – Resultant forces 

• 3.6 REACH – Acceleration and Speed-time graphs 

• Forces as pushes or pulls, arising from the interaction between two objects. 

• Non-contact forces: gravity forces acting at a distance on Earth and in space. 

• Using force arrows in diagrams, adding forces in one dimension, balanced and unbalanced forces. 

• Forces measured in newtons, measurements of stretch or compression as force is change 

• Forces being needed to cause objects to stop or start moving, or to change their speed or direction of motion. 

• Speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time (speed = distance ÷ time). 

• The representation of a journey on a distance-time graph. 

8Pf.03 Describe the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on motion. 

7Pf.03 Describe gravity as a force of attraction between any two objects and describe how the size of the force is related to the masses of the objects. 

8Pf.01 Calculate speed (speed = distance / time). 

8Pf.02 Interpret and draw simple distance / time graphs. 

Pages 170-186 

Energy 

Topics: 

• 3.7 Energy Stores 

• 3.8 Energy transfer and energy resources 

• 3.9 Using power to show conservation and dissipation 

• 3.10 REACH – Efficiency 

• 3.11 REACH – Elastic energy and Hooke’s Law 

• Energy as a quantity that can be quantified and calculated; the total energy has the same value before  

and after a change. 

• Processes that involve energy transfer: changing motion, dropping an object, completing an electrical circuit, stretching a spring. 

• Comparing the starting with the final conditions of a system and describing increases and decreases in the  

amounts of energy associated with movements, temperatures, changes in positions in a field, in elastic distortions. 

7Pf.01 Describe changes in energy that are a result of an event or process.  

7Pf.02 Know that energy tends to dissipate and in doing so it becomes less useful. 

9Pf.03 Know that energy is conserved, meaning it cannot be created or destroyed. 

Pages  

188-206 

ASSIGNMENT THREE  

Module Four: Fertilisation and implantation  

National Curriculum Link 

Cambridge Curriculum link 

Coursebook Pages 

Topics: 

• 4.1 Sexual reproduction 

• 4.2 Preventing pregnancy 

• 4.3 The menstrual cycle 

• 4.4 Investigating seed dispersal mechanisms  

• 4.5 REACH – Inheriting characteristics 

• 4.6 REACH – Asexual reproduction and cloning 

• Reproduction in humans (as an example of a mammal), including the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems, menstrual cycle (without details of hormones), gametes, fertilisation, gestation and birth, to include the effect of maternal lifestyle on the foetus through the placenta. 

• Reproduction in plants, including flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal, including quantitative investigation of some dispersal mechanisms. 

• Heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next. 

9Bp.01 Describe the fusion of gametes to produce a fertilised egg with a new  

combination of DNA.  

9Bp.08 Discuss how fetal development is affected by the health of the mother, including the effect of diet, smoking and drugs. 

9Bs.03 Know that …     ….. that genes contribute to the determination of an organism's characteristics. 

9Bp.02 Describe the inheritance of sex in humans in terms of XX and XY chromosomes. 

Pages 54-70 

ASSIGNMENT FOUR 

Module Five: Chemical changes  

National Curriculum Link 

Cambridge Curriculum link 

Coursebook Pages 

Topics: 

• 5.1 Chemical and physical changes  

• 5.2 Reactants and products 

• 5.3 Writing chemical equations  

• 5.4 Conservation of mass  

• 5.5 Energy in chemical reactions 

• 5.6 REACH – Exothermic and endothermic 

• Chemical reactions as the rearrangement of atoms. 

• Representing chemical reactions using formulae and using equations. 

• Conservation of mass changes of state and chemical reactions. 

• Energy changes on changes of state (qualitative). 

• Exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions (qualitative). 

7Cc.03 Use the particle model to describe chemical reactions. 

8Cc.01 Use word equations to describe reactions. 

9Cc.01 Use word equations and symbol equations to describe reactions (balancing symbol equations is not required). 

8Cc.02 Know that some processes and reactions are endothermic or  

exothermic, and this can be identified by temperature change. 

7Cc.01 Identify whether a chemical reaction has taken place through observations of the loss of reactants and/or the formation of products which have different properties to the reactants (including evolving a gas, formation of a precipitate or change of colour).   

7Cc.02 Explain why a precipitate forms, in terms of a chemical reaction between soluble reactants forming at least one insoluble product.   

8Cc.04 Know that reactions do not always lead to a single pure product and that sometimes a reaction will produce an impure mixture of products. 

Pages 130-146

ASSIGNMENT FIVE 

Module Six: Waves, sound and light 

National Curriculum Link 

Cambridge Curriculum link 

Coursebook Pages 

Topics: 

• 6.1 Wave properties 

• 6.2 Sound and its applications 

• 6.3 Reflection and refraction 

• 6.4 Applications of reflection and refraction  

• 6.5 Light and colour 

• 6.6 REACH – The electromagnetic spectrum 

• 6.7 REACH – Applications of electromagnetic waves 

• Practical 2 – Speed of sound (National and Cambridge Curriculum links same as Practical 1) 

• Frequencies of sound waves, measured in hertz (Hz); echoes, reflection and absorption of sound. 

• Sound produced by vibrations of objects, in loudspeakers, detected by their effects on microphone diaphragm and the ear drum; sound waves are longitudinal. 

• The similarities and differences between light waves and waves in matter. 

• Light waves travelling through a vacuum; speed of light. 

• The transmission of light through materials: absorption, diffuse scattering and specular reflection at a surface. 

• Use of ray model to explain imaging in mirrors, the pinhole camera, the refraction of light and action of convex lens in focusing (qualitative); the human eye. 

• Colours and the different frequencies of light, white light and prisms (qualitative only); differential colour effects in absorption and diffuse reflection. 

• Pressure waves transferring energy; use for cleaning and physiotherapy by ultra-sound; waves transferring information for conversion to electrical signals microphone. 

9Ps.01 Draw and interpret waveforms, and recognise the link between loudness and amplitude, pitch and frequency. 

7Ps.01 Describe the vibration of particles in a sound wave. 

8Ps.01 Describe reflection at a plane surface and use the law of reflection. 

8Ps.04 Describe how colours of light can be added, subtracted, absorbed and reflected. 

Pages 208-226 

ASSIGNMENT SIX (including Practical Two)

Module Seven: Variation and natural selection  

National Curriculum Link 

Cambridge Curriculum link 

Coursebook Pages 

Topics: 

• 7.1 Variation 

• 7.2 More adaptations 

• 7.3 Investigating competition 

• 7.4 Natural selection and antibiotic-resistant bacteria  

• 7.5 REACH – Maintaining biodiversity 

• 7.6 REACH – Ecosystems – biotic and abiotic factors 

• Differences between species. 

• The variation between individuals within a species being continuous or discontinuous. 

• The importance of maintaining biodiversity and the use of gene banks to preserve hereditary material. 

• The variation between species and between individuals of the same species means some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection. 

• Changes in the environment may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction. 

7Bp.03 Describe a species as a group of organisms that can reproduce to  produce fertile offspring. 

9Bp.03 Describe variation within a species and relate this to genetic differences between individuals. 

9Bp.04 Describe the scientific theory of natural selection and how it relates to genetic changes over time. 

7Bp.02 Discuss reasons for classifying viruses as living or non-living. 

Pages 72-88

ASSIGNMENT SEVEN 

Module Eight: Useful chemical reactions 

National Curriculum Link 

Cambridge Curriculum link 

Coursebook Pages 

 Topics: 

• 8.1 Using metals 

• 8.2 The reactivity series  

• 8.3 Displacement reactions  

• 8.4 Extracting metals 

• 8.5 Using metals catalysts  

• 8.6 REACH – Relative mass 

• 8.7 REACH – Calculating yield 

• Practical 3 – Corrosion (National and Cambridge Curriculum links same as Practical 1)

• Representing chemical reactions using formulae and using equations. 

• The properties of metals and non-metals. 

• Displacement reactions. 

• What catalysts do. 

• The order of metals and carbon in the reactivity series. 

• The use of carbon in obtaining metals from metal oxides. 

8Cc.01 Use word equations to describe reactions. 

9Cc.01 Use word equations and symbol equations to describe reactions. 

7Cp.05 Describe common differences between metals and non-metals, referring to their physical properties. 

8Cc.03 Describe the reactivity of metals (limited to sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, gold and silver) with oxygen, water and dilute acids. 

9Cc.02 Identify examples of displacement reactions and predict products. 

Pages 148-166 

ASSIGNMENT EIGHT (including Practical Three) 

Module Nine: Electricity and magnetism 

National Curriculum Link 

Cambridge Curriculum link 

Coursebook Pages 

Topics: 

• 9.1 Static electricity and charge 

• 9.2 Current, p.d. and resistance 

• 9.3 Series and parallel  

• 9.4 Magnetism  

• 9.5 REACH – Electromagnetism and induction 

• 9.6 REACH – Alternating current and the National Grid 

• Separation of positive or negative charges when objects are rubbed together: transfer of electrons, forces between charged objects. 

• Electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, currents add where branches meet and current as flow of charge. 

• Potential difference, measured in volts, battery and bulb ratings; resistance, measured in ohms, as the ratio of  potential difference (p.d.) to current. 

• The magnetic effect of a current, electromagnets, D.C. motors (principles only). 

7Pe.01 Use a simple model to describe electricity as a flow of electrons around a circuit. 

9Pe.01 Describe how current divides in parallel circuits. 

9Pe.03 Calculate resistance (resistance = voltage / current) and describe how resistance affects current. 

8Pe.02 Describe how to make an electromagnet and know that  electromagnets have many applications. 

8Pe.03 Investigate factors that change the strength of an electromagnet. 

Pages 228-244 

ASSIGNMENT NINE