Yeast

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Yeasts
Yeast of the species Sacharomyces cerevisiae.
Yeast of the species Sacharomyces cerevisiae.
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Typical divisions

Ascomycota (sac fungi)

  • Saccharomycotina (true yeasts)
  • Taphrinomycotina
    • Schizosaccharomycetes (fission yeasts)

Basidiomycota (club fungi)

  • Urediniomycetes
    • Sporidiales

Yeast are eucaryotic microorganisms. They are classified as fungi. There are about 1.500 different species of yeast. Most reproduce asexually, by budding. Some use binary fission to reproduce. This is also asexual reproduction.

A certain kind of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used for a very long time. It is used for baking, or as an additive to help the fermentation of alcoholic drinks. It is also considered to be a model organism for modern cell biology. Other yeasts can cause infections in humans (they are pathogens). Yeast has also been used make electricity, or to make ethanol (as a biological fuel for cars).

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