Answer to Question #99757 in Chemistry for ohaniso

Question #99757
why yeast might produce ethanol during fermentation if ethanol is eventually toxic to them.
1
Expert's answer
2019-12-03T08:25:59-0500

Fermentation in yeasts starts with the glycolysis - transformation of glucose to two pyruvate molecules. Under the anaerobic conditions, pyruvate cannot be involved in the citric acid cycle. As a result, glycolysis is the only way to produce ATP - a metabolic source of energy. However, the process of glycolysis requires the presence of NAD+. One of the possibilities to oxidize NADH to NAD+ is to reduce pyruvate to ethanol. The process leads to the production of ethanol, carbon dioxide, and NAD+ molecules that can be used in glycolysis. Although ethanol is toxic for yeasts, they can survive in the solution containing up to 14% ethanol. 


Need a fast expert's response?

Submit order

and get a quick answer at the best price

for any assignment or question with DETAILED EXPLANATIONS!

Comments

No comments. Be the first!

Leave a comment

LATEST TUTORIALS
New on Blog
APPROVED BY CLIENTS