Synergy

There are two GCSE Combined Science courses: Trilogy and Synergy. Do you know that "trilogy" means "a group of three"? As the name suggests, the Trilogy Combined Science curriculum is structured into three main sections: biology, chemistry and physics. However, you may not have come across the term "synergy". This relates to the combined interaction of the three sciences coming together to have a more significant overall effect. But how does this correlate to GCSE Combined Science and its course structure?

Synergy Definition

An orchestra is an excellent example of synergy. Think about all the different instruments coming together, from saxophones to violins to triangles! They all work together and harmonise to make a symphony. Each orchestra member has strengths and contributions that they bring to the final sound.

Synergy Examples in Nature

Examples of synergy don't only occur in business or orchestras. It can be seen all throughout nature. Synergistic relationships exist between living organisms, where their combined effort, or 'teamwork', produces a more significant result than if the organisms did not interact. A few types of synergistic relationships occur in nature, such as mutualism, group living, altruism and reciprocity.

Mutualism

Mutualistic relationships are positive interactions between different species. Both species perform a “service” for each other that they can't perform by themselves. Mutualism can be thought of as an example of synergy.

Living in Groups

Animals obtain benefits from living and working together as a group. Thus, group living is a synergistic interaction.

Altruism

Altruism is behaviour that benefits other organisms but not yourself. It is a synergistic interaction because it provides more benefit to the group than if every individual acted selfishly.

Reciprocity – “if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.”

Reciprocity is returning an altruistic favour. It's hard to prove in nature, but a few examples do exist.

Synergy in Combined Science

You might be wondering how the concept of synergy relates to the structure of your science GCSE. So synergy is all about working together, right? In this course, you learn the three sciences together. The Synergy course is split into several topics. Each contains components of biology, chemistry, and physics.

Here's an overview of the course structure. Each subtopic has a few questions that summarise their content and, hopefully, get you feeling inquisitive!

Building Blocks of Science

This topic provides the physical, chemical, and biological foundations for your course - the building blocks for developing scientific thinking and understanding by covering everything from tiny atoms to cells to the nature of particles to show how ideas are linked.

Key Themes of Building Blocks of Science

States of Matter:

• What are the three states of matter?

• How do the particles behave in each state of matter?

• How can you change an object's state of matter?

Atomic Structure:

• How has the theory of atomic structure changed over time?

• What is the atomic model?

• How do subatomic particles influence the properties of an element?

Cells:

• How do microscopes work?

• What functions do Cell Organelles carry out?

• How do cells reproduce?

Waves:

Transport Over Larger Distances

This topic focuses on the internal systems that work together to keep animals and plants alive. It's zooming out a little compared to the previous module by looking at the delicate balance of the multiple systems and processes needed to transport various states of matter over more considerable distances.

Key Themes of Transport Over Larger Distances

Systems in the Human Body:

• How do humans respire?

• How do the heart and lungs work together to support respiration?

• How do organ systems work together?

Photosynthesis:

• What is photosynthesis?

• How are plants adapted for photosynthesis?

• How do plants transport chemicals?

Interactions with the Environment

This topic examines how human health can be impacted by the natural environment or our own decisions. This one may seem a little confusing just by its title, but it is about the balance of lifestyle, the surrounding environment and health.

Key Themes of Interactions with the Environment

Lifestyle and Health:

• What are non-communicable diseases?

• How can your lifestyle affect your health?

• How does contraception influence the female hormone cycle?

Radiation and Risk

• What is radioactive decay?

• How can radiation affect your health?

Diseases:

• How are communicable diseases spread?

• How can the body defend itself against pathogens?

• How can we prevent and treat diseases?

Explaining Change

One of the main aims of science is to build and organise thoughts to explain changes and make predictions about the universe. This topic uncovers and explores how the natural world has changed over time, including the influence of humans.

Key Themes for Explaining Change

The Earth's Atmosphere:

• How did Earth's atmosphere develop?

• How are carbon and water cycled around the planet?

• How have humans impacted the physical world?

Ecosystems and Biodiversity:

• How are ecosystems organised?

• How do organisms interact with one another?

• How have humans affected ecosystems?

Inheritance:

• How do our genes affect who we are?

• How do our genes determine our sex?

Variation and Evolution:

• How do genetic changes lead to variation?
• What is natural selection?
• How can humans manipulate variation?

Building Blocks for Understanding

This topic draws on your understanding of atomic structure and its effects on elements. This more chemical-based module covers all things periodic table, chemical equations and patterns between the various elements.

Key Themes of Building Blocks for Understanding

The Periodic Table:

• What is the periodic table?
• How are elements categorised in the periodic table?
• What properties do different groups of the periodic table have?

Chemical Quantities:

• How do you write an equation for a chemical reaction?
• What is formula mass?
• Why is mass always conserved during a chemical reaction?

Interactions over Small and Large Distances

This topic investigates the physical laws that govern the world. Think about the various forces between atoms and larger molecular structures and how these interact and can be applied to industry.

Key Themes of Interactions Over Small and Large Distances

Forces and Energy Changes:

• How do forces work?

• How do you calculate energy?

• Can energy be stored?

Structure and Bonding:

• What types of chemical bonds are there?

• How do chemical bonds affect the properties of a substance?

Magnetism and Electromagnetism:

• How do magnets work?
• What are magnetic fields?
• What is electromagnetism?

Movement and Interactions

This physics-based topic will help you gain an understanding of the forces behind movement and its varying speeds. You'll also learn how the movements of electrons create electric currents to keep our homes and cities running.

Key Themes of Movement and Interactions

Forces and Motion:

• How can you measure motion?

• What is kinetic energy?

• What are Newton's Laws?

Electricity:

• What is electricity?
• How does current travel in a circuit?
• How do we get electricity in our homes?

Acids and Alkali

This topic covers the chemical substances of acids and alkalis — what they are, how they react, and how to measure them. It's about characterising these substances so that predictions about chemical changes can be established and patterns can be observed.

Key Themes of Acids and Alkali

Reactions of Acids:

• What products are formed when acids react?

• What is a neutralisation reaction?

• How does energy change during a reaction?

The pH Scale:

• What is the pH scale?
• How can you measure acidity and alkalinity?
• What ions affect pH?

Chemical Reactions

Think about the many variables that can manipulate the speed of a reaction, such as catalysts and the energy changes accompanying the formation and breaking of bonds. This topic shines a light on chemical reactions and the factors that affect them.

Key Themes of Chemical Reactions

Reaction Rates:

• What factors affect reaction rates?
• What is activation energy?
• What are catalysts used for?

Reversible Reactions

• What are reversible reactions?
• What is dynamic equilibrium?

The Reactivity Series

• What is the reactivity series?
• What is electrolysis?
• How can you test for different gases?

Sustainability

In this topic, you'll get to grips with natural resources and how we can alter our consumption to provide a sustainable future for our planet. It's about the search for sustainable solutions to the many challenges humans face.

Key Themes of Sustainability

Carbon Chemistry

• What is Crude Oil?

• How can we separate and refine Crude Oil?

• What is cracking?

Metal Extraction

• How can we extract metals by the reduction of oxides?

• How can we extract metals using electrolysis?

Energy Resources

• What are the different types of energy resources?

• How can we make energy use more efficient?

• What is energy efficiency?

Material Resources

• What is a Life Cycle Assessment?
• How does Recycling benefit the environment?

Working Scientifically

This final topic doesn't have any facts or concepts to learn. Instead, it teaches you the skills to work like a scientist. You'll learn how to think scientifically through researching, developing hypotheses and having a keen eye for detail.

Experiments are an essential part of science. By the end of this course, you will have acquired the skills and strategies to plan and perform an experiment. After the experiment, you'll know how to analyse and evaluate your results.

Finally, this topic will teach you how to write like a scientist. Using proper vocabulary, units and symbols is important and will be needed in your exams.

^{1. Andrew Spacey, Altruism: Examples of How Wild Animals Care for Their Own and Others, Owlcation, 2022}

^{2. AQA, GCSE Combined Science: Synergy Specification, 2019}

^{3. Cambridge Dictionary, Synergy, 2022}

^{4. Claudia Rutte, Generalized Reciprocity in Rats, PLoS Biology, 2007}

^{5. Nicholas B. Davies, An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology, 2012}

^{6. Scott Auerbach, Examples of Synergy in Nature, Sciencing, 2021}