∞ generated and posted on 2016.02.19 ∞
Fungi that, in their mature form, exist as separate, individual cells.
See also budding yeast and fission yeast. Contrast mold as well as fleshy fungi.
Yeasts are the microorganism that are responsible for raising bread (makes the dough all fluffy and full of holes) as well as for making the ethanol found in wine, beer, etc. The organism responsible for these functions is known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (or sugar fungus that makes beer, or something like that…) and does this in the course of alcohol fermentation under anaerobic conditions.
The yeast associated with vaginal yeast infections as well as thrush (an oral infection) – collectively, candidiasis – is a totally different organism, though still a fungus: Candida albicans. Many other kinds of yeasts exist.