Question

When conducting an experiment that raises the temperature of yeast cells, what are some different aspects to observe & what methods could i use to conduct this experiment

Answer 1

Method for raising temperature of yeast is a process of fermentation. Chemical substances are broken down by yeast or micro-organism into alcohol and produce heat. In the process of fermentation yeast cell consume sugar molecules and convert it into alcohol and produced heat. With the help of sugar and oxygen yeast produce alcohol and releases carbon dioxide (this carbon dioxide gases are involve in leaven the bread). The process of sugar break down is very low hence it produces heat. Because it is enzymatic process, additionally when we increase the temperature of yeast culture to the optimum temperature which enzymes required, the process of fermentation will increase. Broadly the chemical process is as followed,

                                            C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ ======= 6H₂O + 6CO₂ +ENERGY AND HEAT

                                          Sugar+ oxygen ==(enzyme)=== water + carbon dioxide.

General process

Yeast culture are taken. A water bath with constant temperature of 37ﹾC is taken and insert thermometer to monitor the temperature.

In a testube culture of yeast is taken and add sugar to it, mix it and sealed it. Put the test tube in worm water bath and attach plastic tube with test tube (containing yeast and sugar) and a pressure sensor.

Note down the pressure reading to understand how much gases are produce during fermentation.

You can use different temperature of waterbath to understand the rate of fermentation. By drawing the graph gases produced against temperature, we can determine at which temperature highest amount of heat will produce.