Yeast Biology and Fermentation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the biological classification, cellular structure, reproduction, and industrial applications of yeast.

Bacteria

Prokaryotic organisms that are the simplest life forms, lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

Eukaryotic

A classification of cells belonging to protists, fungi, plants, and animals that have a true nucleus and advanced cellular structures.

Protists

Eukaryotic, single-celled organisms, such as algae, that are not plants, animals, or fungi.

Fungi

A kingdom of organisms that includes mushrooms, yeasts, and molds, which can be single-celled or multicellular.

Yeast

A single-celled eukaryote belonging to the fungi kingdom that contains a true nucleus and organelles.

Kingdom Animalia

The biological kingdom that includes humans, horses, squids, and insects.

Diffusion Speed

A cellular process that is very fast in small cells like bacteria, moderate in yeast, and slow in large animal cells.

Louis Pasteur

The researcher who, in 1857, used the microscope to provide a scientific understanding of yeast's role in fermentation.

Budding

The asexual reproduction process in yeast where a small outgrowth forms on the parent cell, receives a daughter nucleus, and pinches off.

Binary Fission

The method of reproduction used by bacteria, which differs from budding because the parent cell does not remain intact.

Glycolysis

The initial stage of all fermentation where glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A process occurring in bacteria and human muscles where pyruvate is converted into lactic acid and $NAD^+$ is regenerated.

Alcoholic Fermentation

The recovery process in yeast where pyruvate (3-carbon) is converted into ethanol (2-carbon) and $CO_2$.

E85

A biofuel produced by distilling the ethanol generated when yeast ferments glucose from crops like corn or wheat.

Kvas

A fermented beverage that is popular in Europe.

Kombucha

A fermented sweetened tea made using a culture of yeast and bacteria.

Kefir and Kumis

Liquid fermented milk products characterized as being like drinkable yogurt.

Mabi

Also known as Maubee, this drink is made by fermenting sugar with wild yeast from tree bark.

Chromatin

The form in which DNA is packed within the nucleus of yeast and animal cells.

Aspergillus

A mold used industrially to make soy sauce from wheat via fermentation.