Name: Date:

Wheat and grains

1) Name the top of the wheat plant, where the grains are clustered together.

It is called the ears

2) Complete this diagram of a wheat grain.

3) Complete this chart.

Part of the grain Important information

Wheat sperm A new plant would grow from this part. Contains elements of
the young wheat plant, providing vitamins, protein and oil.
Used in health foods, for the fortification of bread and
wholemeal flour.
Bran layers Coarse outer layer  4 different layers
provides protein and is used in the production of brown and
wholemeal flours.
Endosperm The starchy store of food which the germ feeds on while it
grows.

4) Describe the parts of the grain used for three different flours.

Type of flour Part of the grain used

White Only the endosperm is used

Brown 85% of the original grain is used, but with some

bran and germ removed.
Wholemeal All part of the grain is used

© Food – a fact of life 2019 www.foodafactoflife.org.uk

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 Processing Steps involved Comments/notes
Primary In the primary process the grains are: The primary process of
- Cleaned grains is to separate the
outer layers of the grain from
- Graded the inner section – in the
milling process (nr 4) the
- Sorted
germ is thrown away by
- Dehulled grinding and pounding the
grain
- Milled
- Converted into edible form

Secondary In the secondary process the grains are: In the secondary process
1. Fermented during the third step, the
2. Baked grains are exposed to very
3. Puffed high steam pressures which
4. Flaked then cause the grain to burst
5. Fried open

© Food – a fact of life 2019 www.foodafactoflife.org.uk

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