S. Cerevisiae Life Cycle

S. Cerevisiaeis a unicellular, eukaryotic fungus and has the ability to grow aerobically or anaerobically in media. Cells divide through mitosis, resulting in two haploid daughter cells. Reproduction occurs between opposite genders, denoted as MATα or MATa. These two haploid cell types produce different pheromones necessary for mating which then allows the yeast to grow in a certain direction. During reproduction, cells fuse together, resulting in a diploid offspring. The cell remains in its diploid state until nitrogen starvation promotes sporulation. During sporulation, the four gametes produced are bound by a single membrane in a structure called an ascus and remain bound in this state till further environmental conditions improve.