Because the cellular processes of yeast are relatively easy to manipulate, it has been extensively used as a model organism in biotechnology research. Like human cells, yeast cells have a nucleus containing chromosomes with tightly packaged DNA. Yeast also contains enzymes that react with carbohydrates in a reaction called fermentation. Fermentation of sugars by yeast produces ethyl alcohol. This process has led to a recent biotechnology breakthroughs leading to painkilling medicines. These are just a few of the many reasons yeast has been and will remain a crucial tool for mankind.
In this lower-secondary module, students investigate yeast under a microscope, consider whether its characteristics make it living or nonliving, and then discuss some of the ways that humans use it.
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| Class sessions |
4
|
|---|---|
| Files | |
| Resource Type |
Teaching Materials
Classroom-based
Lab-based
|
| Appropriate Ages |
Lower Secondary
|
| Resource Topic |
Biotech & Medicine
Pharmaceuticals
Lab Techniques
Gene Editing
Gene Sequencing
Pipetting
|