ISSN:
0749-503X
Keywords:
Ethanol tolerance
;
membrane fluidity
;
fermentation
;
Saccharomyces
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Genetics
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Evidence is presented for an exponential increase in yeast plasma membrane fluidity (as meaured by pasive permeability to acetic acid) with ethanol concentration. The role of adaptation of yeast cells to ethanol can be seen in the existence of a threshold concnetration before the onset of an observed fluidizing effect. The physiological state of the yeast cells is also demonstrated to influence the sensitivity of the membrane to fluidizatio by ethanol. On the basis of these results, the concept that increased fluidity is an adaptive response conferring ethanol tolerance is disputed. An alternative hypothesis, namely that the observed increase in fluidity is the net result of a number of more fundamental changes, is presented to explain the observed effects.
Additional Material:
2 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/yea.320030403
