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OCR GCSE Combined Science revision notes

Concise notes per spec point, written in plain English with worked examples. AI-generated, admin-verified.

  1. B1.1Cell structures: prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, plant and animal cells, sub-cellular structures and microscopy
  2. B1.2What happens in cells (and what do cells need): DNA, mitosis, the cell cycle, transport in cells (diffusion, osmosis, active transport)
  3. B1.3Respiration: aerobic vs anaerobic, equations, response to exercise and oxygen debt
  4. B1.4Photosynthesis: equation, factors affecting rate (limiting factors) and the inverse-square law for light intensity
  5. B2.1Supplying the cell: surface area to volume, exchange surfaces, transport in plants (xylem, phloem, transpiration)
  6. B2.2The challenges of size: human circulatory system, blood, the heart, blood vessels and double circulation
  7. B3.1Coordination and control — the nervous system: receptors, neurones, CNS, reflex arcs and synaptic transmission
  8. B3.2Coordination and control — the endocrine system: hormones, blood glucose regulation, type 1 and type 2 diabetes
  9. B4.1Ecosystems: levels of organisation, biotic and abiotic factors, sampling and population studies
  10. B4.2Cycles in ecosystems: carbon, water and decomposition; the impact of human activity on biodiversity
  11. B5.1Inheritance: genes, alleles, dominant/recessive, Punnett squares, sex determination and inherited disorders
  12. B5.2Natural selection and evolution: variation, mutations, evidence for evolution, fossils and antibiotic resistance
  13. B6.1Monitoring and maintaining the environment: human impact, pollution, deforestation, conservation programmes
  14. B6.2Feeding the human race: selective breeding, genetic engineering, food security and biotechnology
  15. C1.1The particle model: states of matter, kinetic theory, density and changes of state
  16. C1.2Atomic structure: protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes and the development of the model of the atom
  17. C2.1Purity and separating mixtures: filtration, crystallisation, distillation, chromatography and pure substances
  18. C2.2Bonding: ionic, covalent and metallic bonding; structure of simple molecules, giant covalent and metallic structures
  19. C3.1Introducing chemical reactions: balancing equations, conservation of mass, formula mass and percentage by mass
  20. C3.2Energetics: exothermic and endothermic reactions, reaction profiles and bond-energy calculations
  21. C4.1Predicting chemical reactions: the periodic table, trends in Groups 1, 7 and 0; the reactivity series
  22. C4.2Identifying common gases and ions: tests for hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, chlorine; flame tests, hydroxide precipitates
  23. C5.1Monitoring chemical reactions: concentration, moles and titrations (HT)Higher
  24. C5.2Controlling reactions: rate of reaction, collision theory, factors affecting rate and catalysts
  25. C5.3Equilibria: reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s principle
  26. C6.1Improving processes and products: extraction of metals (electrolysis, blast furnace, biological methods), recycling and life-cycle assessment
  27. C6.2Organic chemistry: hydrocarbons, alkanes, fractional distillation, cracking and alkenes
  28. P1.1The particle model: kinetic theory, states of matter, density and the relationship between particle behaviour and physical properties
  29. P1.2Changes of state: melting, boiling, evaporation; specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
  30. P2.1Motion: distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration; distance–time and velocity–time graphs
  31. P2.2Newton’s laws: balanced and unbalanced forces, F = ma, free-body diagrams
  32. P3.1Static and charge: electric fields, charging by friction and induction
  33. P3.2Simple circuits: current, potential difference, resistance, Ohm’s law and IV characteristics
  34. P3.3Series and parallel circuits: rules for current, p.d. and resistance
  35. P4.1Wave behaviour: transverse and longitudinal waves; v = fλ; reflection, refraction and absorption
  36. P4.2The electromagnetic spectrum: types, properties, uses and dangers across the spectrum
  37. P4.3Radioactive emissions: alpha, beta, gamma, nuclear equations, half-life, irradiation vs contamination
  38. P5.1Work done and energy transfer: stores, transfers, kinetic and potential energy, efficiency
  39. P5.2Power and energy in everyday systems: P = E/t, power in appliances and the National Grid
  40. P5.3Global energy resources: renewable and non-renewable resources and environmental impact
  41. P6.1Physics on the move: forces in motion, vehicle safety and stopping distances
  42. P6.2Powering Earth: electricity production, the National Grid, transformers and energy efficiency