Are you aware of the term “Eukaryotic Micro-organisms?” It stands for single-celled organisms that can possibly be viewed only under a microscope. Yeast is an example of such Eukaryotic micro-organisms. However, some variants of yeast are multi-cellular since these micro-organisms forms strings after establishing connection with budding cells, better known as pseudohyphae or false hyphae.
Yeasts are classified as a part of the Kingdom Fungi. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a unique kind of yeast converts complex carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon-dioxide. Therefore, other than being just a simple model organism facilitating research works on cell biology, yeast is used for a variety of commercial purposes like baking and in the production of alcohol.
Today, yeasts are of immense use in bio-fuel industries. They contribute in the generation of electricity in the form of microbial fuel cells. It also beefs up the production of natural methane for heaps of other beneficial purposes.
After discussing the positive attributes of yeast, are you eager to learn a little more about the negative impacts of yeast? Micro-organisms belonging to the Fungi group are not always advantageous.
Variants like Candida albicans are better classified as opportunistic pathogens. This type of yeast prevails in the body of endotherms like human beings and animals, only to create infections in the body.
How to detect whether you are yeast infected or not?
Fortunately, yeast infections are rarely harmful and pop up in delicate areas, especially in and around the genital organs. If you experience discomfort and itchiness in some area, it is highly possible that you are afflicted with the yeast infection. Another characteristic symptom of yeast infection can be tracked by the texture of discharge.
If it resembles the smell of bread and appears chunky and a little white, it is considered as a guaranteed sign of yeast infection. Did you know that pregnancy increases chances of the yeast infection? During pregnancy, there appears a drastic change in the body of a female. The pH balance of hormones alters and areas around the uterus and vagina become highly sensitive. There is a lot more formation of body discharge, making it ideal for a fungus to thrive in.
Why study about yeasts?
Talk about diseases or the benefits of putting yeast into industrial use, studying about yeasts and its family is always helpful. You can easily establish a career of a researcher, biologist or professional analysts in food and industrial areas.
Here are the resources on yeast:
What are yeasts?
Genaral information about yeasts. Link
Ares Lab Intron Site
This site contains information concerning the location and structure of the spliceosomal class of introns in the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Link
Saccharomyces Genome Database
SGD is a scientific database of the molecular biology and genetics of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is commonly known as baker’s or budding yeast. Link
The World-Wide Web Virtual Library: Yeast
This section of the Virtual Library describes the yeast model organisms: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding, bakers’ and sometimes brewers’), Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission), and Candida albicans. Link
Yeast Gene Duplications
This Web site contains data on duplicated genes in the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) genome. It concentrates particularly on duplicated chromosomal regions. Link
Yeast Protein Interaction Map Project
The Yeast Protein Interaction Map Project is a systematic attempt to identify as many protein-protein interactions among yeast proteins as possible. Link
