Lab 6: Yeast on the Rise: A Study in Fermentation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to yeast fermentation and biofuel production discussed in the lecture.

Ethanol

An alcohol that can be produced through fermentation and used as a biofuel.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Glycolysis

The process that breaks down glucose to produce ATP and pyruvate; the first step in both fermentation and cellular respiration.

Biofuel

A fuel derived from organic materials, often produced through fermentation.

Gasohol

A blend of ethanol and gasoline, known for burning more cleanly than gasoline alone.

Catabolic pathways

Metabolic pathways that break down complex molecules to release energy.

S. cerevisiae

The scientific name for baker's yeast, commonly used in fermentation.

Anaerobic

A process that occurs without oxygen.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Respirometer

An apparatus used to measure the rate of respiration or fermentation by measuring gas output.

NAD+

A coenzyme that acts as an electron carrier in cellular processes, critical for fermentation.

Control group

A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment, used as a baseline to compare results.

Independent variable

The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured and affected in an experiment.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, to be tested through experimentation.

Optimal conditions

The most favorable environmental conditions for a process to occur, such as fermentation.

Glucose concentration

The amount of glucose in a solution, which can affect the rate of fermentation.