Yeast
| Yeast | |
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| Yeast cells under amicroscope. | |
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| A diagram of a typical yeast cell | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Typical divisions | |
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Ascomycota(sac fungi)
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Yeastaremicroorganisms.They are single-celledfungi.There are about 1,500 differentspeciesof yeast. Most reproduceasexually,bybudding.Some usebinary fissionto reproduce asexually.
A particularspeciesof yeast,Saccharomyces cerevisiae,has been used for thousands of years. It is used for bakingbreadbecause the yeast makescarbon dioxideas a by-product of it eating sugar, which helps the bread rise (leaven). Yeast is also used for makingbeerand otheralcoholic drinksby a process known asfermentation.This process produces bothethyl alcoholand carbon dioxide. Ethanol is also used asfuel,and to make otherorganic chemicals.
Yeast can be used to makeelectricity.Yeast is also amodel organismfor studyingcell biology.Some yeasts can causeinfectionsinhumans(they arepathogens).
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A block of fresh yeast -
Dry yeast (usually, yeast is sold like this)
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