Yeasts

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Yeasts

Yeasts (/ji:sts/) are a type of fungal organism that are used in baking and brewing due to their ability to ferment sugars. They are also important model organisms for studying cell biology.

Etymology

The term "yeast" comes from the Old English gyst, and the Indo-European root yes-, meaning "boil", "foam", or "bubble".

Description

Yeasts are unicellular organisms which evolved from multicellular ancestors. They reproduce asexually by budding, a process where a small bud, or daughter cell, is formed on the parent cell. Sexual reproduction is also possible and occurs when two yeast cells fuse to form a zygote.

Types of Yeasts

There are many different types of yeasts. Some of the most common include:

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae: This is the yeast most often used in baking and brewing. It is also a model organism for studying cell biology.
  • Candida albicans: This yeast is a common part of the human gut flora. It can also cause infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans: This yeast is a significant human pathogen, causing a severe form of meningitis, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

Related Terms

  • Fermentation: The process by which yeasts convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
  • Budding: The asexual reproduction process in yeasts.
  • Zygote: The cell formed by the fusion of two yeast cells during sexual reproduction.
  • Pathogen: An organism that can cause disease.

External links

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