Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:52, 11 December 2024

Species of yeast

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a species of yeast. It has been instrumental in winemaking, baking, and brewing since ancient times. It is believed to have been originally isolated from the skin of grapes. S. cerevisiae cells are round to ovoid, 5–10 micrometers in diameter. It reproduces by a division process known as budding.

Biology[edit]

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a unicellular fungus that is classified as a member of the kingdom Fungi, the phylum Ascomycota, and the class Saccharomycetes. It is a model organism in cell biology research, particularly in the study of the cell cycle, cell division, and genetics.

Reproduction[edit]

S. cerevisiae reproduces asexually by budding. During this process, a small bud forms on the parent cell, grows, and eventually detaches to become a new cell. It can also reproduce sexually through a process involving the fusion of two haploid cells to form a diploid cell, which can undergo meiosis to produce spores.

Metabolism[edit]

S. cerevisiae is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. In the presence of oxygen, it performs aerobic respiration, while in the absence of oxygen, it switches to fermentation, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Applications[edit]

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely used in the food and beverage industry. It is the yeast responsible for the fermentation of sugars in the production of beer, wine, and bread. In baking, the carbon dioxide produced by the yeast causes dough to rise.

Biotechnology[edit]

In biotechnology, S. cerevisiae is used as a model organism for research and as a host for the production of recombinant proteins. Its well-characterized genetics and ease of manipulation make it an ideal organism for genetic engineering.

Research[edit]

S. cerevisiae has been extensively studied in the field of genetics and molecular biology. It was the first eukaryotic organism to have its genome completely sequenced. This yeast serves as a model for understanding the basic mechanisms of eukaryotic cells, including DNA replication, recombination, cell division, and metabolism.

Gallery[edit]

S. cerevisiae on an agar plate
S. cerevisiae cells showing shmoo formation
S. cerevisiae under differential interference contrast microscopy

Also see[edit]

Template:Yeasts

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Species of yeast}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Saccharomyces cerevisiae
+| image = Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEM.jpg
+| image_caption = ''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'' under scanning electron microscopy
+| domain = Eukaryota
+| regnum = Fungi
+| phylum = Ascomycota
+| classis = Saccharomycetes
+| ordo = Saccharomycetales
+| familia = Saccharomycetaceae
+| genus = Saccharomyces
+| species = ''S. cerevisiae''
+| binomial = ''Saccharomyces cerevisiae''
+| binomial_authority = Meyen ex E.C. Hansen
+}}
-Title: Saccharomyces cerevisiae
+'''''Saccharomyces cerevisiae''''' is a species of yeast. It has been instrumental in winemaking, baking, and brewing since ancient times. It is believed to have been originally isolated from the skin of grapes. ''S. cerevisiae'' cells are round to ovoid, 5–10 micrometers in diameter. It reproduces by a division process known as budding.
-[[File:Saccharomyces_cerevisiae.jpg|thumb|Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells under a microscope]]
+==Biology==
+''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'' is a unicellular fungus that is classified as a member of the kingdom Fungi, the phylum Ascomycota, and the class Saccharomycetes. It is a model organism in cell biology research, particularly in the study of the cell cycle, cell division, and genetics.
-== Introduction ==
+===Reproduction===
+''S. cerevisiae'' reproduces asexually by budding. During this process, a small bud forms on the parent cell, grows, and eventually detaches to become a new cell. It can also reproduce sexually through a process involving the fusion of two haploid cells to form a diploid cell, which can undergo meiosis to produce spores.
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a species of yeast widely used in various biotechnological and culinary applications. Commonly known as baker's yeast or brewer's yeast, this single-celled microorganism plays a crucial role in fermentation processes, producing carbon dioxide and alcohol. In this article, we will explore the characteristics, applications, research significance, and industrial uses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
+===Metabolism===
+''S. cerevisiae'' is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. In the presence of oxygen, it performs aerobic respiration, while in the absence of oxygen, it switches to fermentation, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.
-== Taxonomy and Characteristics ==
+==Applications==
+''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'' is widely used in the food and beverage industry. It is the yeast responsible for the fermentation of sugars in the production of beer, wine, and bread. In baking, the carbon dioxide produced by the yeast causes dough to rise.
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae belongs to the Kingdom Fungi and is a member of the Ascomycota phylum. As a unicellular eukaryote, it is classified as a yeast and can reproduce through both asexual budding and sexual reproduction.
+===Biotechnology===
+In biotechnology, ''S. cerevisiae'' is used as a model organism for research and as a host for the production of recombinant proteins. Its well-characterized genetics and ease of manipulation make it an ideal organism for genetic engineering.
-Under a microscope, Saccharomyces cerevisiae appears as oval-shaped cells that typically measure between 3 to 5 micrometers in diameter. The yeast cells have a rigid cell wall and are equipped with a central vacuole, nucleus, and other cellular organelles.
+==Research==
+''S. cerevisiae'' has been extensively studied in the field of genetics and molecular biology. It was the first eukaryotic organism to have its genome completely sequenced. This yeast serves as a model for understanding the basic mechanisms of eukaryotic cells, including DNA replication, recombination, cell division, and metabolism.
-== Applications in Culinary Arts ==
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:Laboratoorne pagaripärm (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) agariplaadil..JPG|''S. cerevisiae'' on an agar plate
+File:Shmoos s cerevisiae.jpg|''S. cerevisiae'' cells showing shmoo formation
+File:S cerevisiae under DIC microscopy.jpg|''S. cerevisiae'' under differential interference contrast microscopy
+</gallery>
-=== Baking ===
+==Also see==
-In baking, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used as a leavening agent. When combined with sugar and water, the yeast consumes the sugar and produces carbon dioxide gas through fermentation. The trapped gas causes dough to rise, resulting in light and airy baked goods like bread and pastries.
+* [[Yeast]]
+* [[Fermentation]]
+* [[Baker's yeast]]
+* [[Brewer's yeast]]
+* [[Model organism]]
-=== Brewing ===
+{{Fungi}}
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a central role in the fermentation process during beer and wine production. The yeast consumes sugars from grains or fruits and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different strains of yeast can impart distinct flavors and aromas to the final beverage.
+{{Yeasts}}
-=== Fermentation of Other Foods ===
+[[Category:Saccharomyces cerevisiae| ]]
-Besides bread and alcohol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is utilized in the fermentation of other food products, such as certain dairy products, soy sauce, and vinegar.
+[[Category:Yeasts]]
+[[Category:Model organisms]]
-== Biotechnological Significance ==
-=== Research Model Organism ===
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a widely studied model organism in biological research. Its simplicity, rapid reproduction, and well-characterized genetics make it an invaluable tool for understanding basic cellular processes and human diseases.
-=== Biotechnology and Biofuel Production ===
-In biotechnology, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is employed to produce various enzymes, therapeutic proteins, and biofuels. Genetically engineered strains can be tailored to efficiently synthesize desired products for industrial applications.
-== Industrial Uses ==
-=== Ethanol Production ===
-The yeast's ability to convert sugars into alcohol makes it a key player in ethanol production for biofuel and alcoholic beverage industries.
-=== Bioremediation ===
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae is harnessed for bioremediation processes to clean up environmental pollutants. It can metabolize heavy metals and other toxic compounds, aiding in environmental restoration.
-== Genetic Characteristics ==
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a well-studied and extensively sequenced genome. Its relatively small genome size and straightforward genetics make it an ideal organism for genetic manipulation and studies of gene function. Researchers have identified numerous genes responsible for key cellular processes in this yeast, contributing to a deeper understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms.
-== Brewing and Wine Making ==
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an essential microorganism in brewing and wine making industries. During beer production, yeast converts the fermentable sugars from malted grains into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different strains of yeast can influence the flavor, aroma, and alcohol content of the final beer.
-Similarly, in winemaking, yeast converts the sugars present in grapes into alcohol and carbon dioxide, resulting in the fermentation process. Winemakers carefully select yeast strains to achieve specific flavor profiles and characteristics in the finished wine.
-== References ==
-[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3144247/ Saccharomyces cerevisiae: A Unique Biocatalyst - Microbial Cell Factories]
-[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/yea.320080903 Yeast Genetics: Historical and Future Perspectives - Yeast]
-[[Category:Microbiology]]
-[[Category:Yeast]]
 [[Category:Biotechnology]]
-[[Category:Fermentation]]
-[[Category:Culinary Arts]]
-[[Category:Industrial Applications]]
-[[Category:Model Organisms]]
-{{stub}}