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Yeast Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.
| Yeast | |
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| Yeast cells under a microscope. | |
.svg) |
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| A diagram of a typical yeast cell | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Typical divisions | |
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Ascomycota (sac fungi)
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Yeast are microorganisms. They are single-celled fungi. There are about 1,500 different species of yeast. Most reproduce asexually, by budding. Some use binary fission to reproduce asexually.
A particular species of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been used for a very long time. It is used for baking bread. It is also used in fermentation to make ethanol. This method makes many drinks, such as beer or wine. Ethanol is also used as fuel and as feedstock to make other organic chemicals. Yeast can be used to make electricity.
Yeast is also a model organism for studying cell biology. Some yeasts can cause infections in humans (they are pathogens).
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A block of fresh yeast
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Dry yeast (usually, yeast is sold like this)
Images for kids
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Yeast ring used by Swedish homebrewers in the 19th century to preserve yeast between brewing sessions.
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Bubbles of carbon dioxide forming during beer-brewing
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A kombucha culture fermenting in a jar
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A photomicrograph of Candida albicans showing hyphal outgrowth and other morphological characteristics