Wheat Evolution: Sedimentation Testing

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity (Page 30 of PDF), learners investigate the evolution of wheat by conducting sedimentation tests on different flours. The evolution of wheat from wild grasses demonstrates the dramatic effect of both natural and directed evolution on the structure of a crop plant and the chemical makeup of the product harvested from it. These activities illustrate the changes to both the structure and the chemistry of the wheat plant. Note: Sedimentation test can also be done using SDS detergent and lactic acid instead of soap and vinegar.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 2 g of different types of flour (examples: bread flour, all purpose flour, spelt flour, rice flour, rye flour, maize flour)
  • 8 ml of water for each type of flour
  • 1 ml vinegar for each type of flour
  • 6 ml dish washing soap for each type of flour
  • 1 test tube for each type of flour (preferably 50 ml plastic tube with a screw cap)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Agricultural Engineering
  • Life Sciences
    • Ecology
      • Biodiversity
    • Evolution
      • Evidence for Evolution

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights: