ISSN:
1432-072X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Before the requirements for lipid nutrilites had been recognized, the anaerobic cultivation of yeast during an unlimited number of generations always failed. In an attempt to explain this situation, F. Windisch et al. (1960a, 1960b) supposed that fermentative dissimilation is unable to provide energy for growth. In the present study a yeast, Saccharomyces rosei, is discussed in which the hereditary loss of the respiratory system becomes lethal after a few generations. As this might be an example of an organism in which fermentative dissimilation, although present, cannot replace respiration, it was investigated whether and to what extent fermentation can provide energy for growth in a normal strain of this species. It was found, with the aid of steady state continuous cultures, that under conditions of very limited oxygen supply, S. rosei can synthesize at least 98% of the total amount of newly forme living matter with the aid of energy obtained from fermentative dissimilation, irrespective of the number of generations. Thus, the fermentative dissimilation should in principle be sufficient, after the disappearance of the respiratory dissimilation, to provide energy for growth in this species. The lethality of respiratory deficiency observed in this species cannot be explained by assuming that fermentative dissimilation per se is unable to provide energy for growth.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00413044
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