Mold and yeast are two types of fungi that grow. They are multicellular or unicellular microorganisms of the eukaryotic family. They are saprophytes that live externally decomposing organic material and absorbing nutrients via their cell walls. The primary difference between mold and yeast is the fact that yeast an unicellular fungus while mold is multicellular filaments of fungi. Mold is made up of tubular branches that are multicellular nuclei. The reproduction of yeast happens through budding. Mold reproduces by the creation of sexual or sexual spores. It is employed in baking and in the production of ethanol. Mold is employed for cheese production.
What is Yeast?
The term “yeast” refers to an incredibly microscopic fungus that consists of one oval cell. It is unicellular in structure. It is oval in shape and predominantly white or colorless in the color. The most important characteristic in yeast’s sexual reproduction technique. It creates a daughter cell in budding. This is why the process of reproduction that is asexual is known as budding. Budding yeast can be seen in the video below.
The yeast requires organic matter to obtain their nutrition. They secrete enzymes into external food sources , and digest them to produce basic forms of nutrients. This is why yeast can make ethanol through fermentation. It can also be used in baking to help the dough rise.
What is Mold?
Mold refers to a growing type of fungus, that develops in the shape of filaments made up of multiple cells known as Hyphae. The colonies of molds can be seen by the naked eyes. The multiplicity of fungi happens via vegetative reproduction. Tubular hyphae can have a lot of nuclei that share identical genetic makeup. The mold grows upon organic material. It produces sexual and sexual spores.
As yeasts, molds acquire their nutrition through external enzymatic processing of organic matter. They absorb nutrients via their cell walls. They are also employed in food processing processes like tempeh, cheese, and the production of soy sauce.
Similarities Between Yeast and Mold
- Both mold and yeast are two kinds of fungi.
- Both yeast and mold have the chitin cell wall.
- Both mold and yeast are saprophytes.
Key Difference Between Yeast and Mold – Yeasts vs Molds
| Character | yeasts | Molds |
| Definition | The yeast is a single-cell, budding fungus. | It is an multicellular thread-like fungus. |
| Form | Expand to become massive single cells. | Develop as multiple tubular branches. |
| Cell type | Unicellular | Multicellular |
| Habitat | Very widespread. It is often present on berries and fruits as well as inside the stomachs of mammal as well as within the pores of the body, in addition to other locations. | Commonly found in moist areas, particularly dark or humid. |
| Appearance | Thready and white. The most common shape is oval. | Mold appears fuzzy and is seen in a variety of shapes. |
| Hyphae | They do not possess true Hyphae. Instead, they create multicellular structures, known as pseudo-hyphae. | The filaments of molds are microscopic and called the hyphae. |
| Spore | The fungus Yeast is non-sporing kind of fungus. | The spore-producing fungus mold is |
| Colony morphology | The colonies of yeast are translucent, soft and cream-colored. | Filamentous type colony that has aerial hyphae and vegetative Hyphae. |
| Color | They are less vibrant in comparison the molds (colorless). | Molds are vibrant and may include orange, green or black, brown, purple, or pink. |
| Temperature for Incubation | In general, the temperature of incubation for routine incubation is 25 toC up to to 30C (room temperatures). | The normal incubation temperature ranges from 25 to 30 oC. between 25 and 30 degrees C, however 35 to 35C incubation may be utilized to distinguish certain molds according to their tolerance to temperature or to determine if species are diphasic. |
| Time to cultivate | They usually develop in 24 to 36 hours following inoculation of media. | They usually develop slower than yeasts following inoculation with media. |
| Aerobic/Anaerobic | The growth of yeast can occur in aerobic as well in anaerobic environments. | Molds only grow in conditions that are aerobic. |
| pH ranges for growth | The growth limit is an acidity between 4.0 and 4.5. | Mold can develop in a wider range levels of acidity (pH) concentrations than yeasts. |
| Diagnosis/Identification | Identification is based on physiologic tests as well as some morphologic distinctions. | The majority of clinical molds can be identified by microscopic inspection of the ontogeny as well as the morphology of their Asexual spores. |
| Reproduction | The majority reproduce sexually via mitosis. The most popular form is known as “budding.” There is a lesser number of yeasts reproduce via binary fission. | The spores reproduce through small ones, that can be sexual or asexual. |
| Asexual Spores | Blastospore | Conidia and Sporangiospores |
| Sexual Spores | No Sexual Spores. | Zygospores Ascospores And Basidiospores |
| Energy Production | Convert carbohydrates into carbon dioxide and alcohol anaerobic fermentation. Additionally, extract carbon from Hexose sugars. | Secrete hydrolytic enzymes which degrade biopolymers such that starch the cellulose and lignin to simpler substances that can then be taken in. |
| Health risks | It is possible to cause infection in those with weak immune systems. | It could cause allergic reactions as well as respiratory problems. |
| Other dangers | Less likely to be affected by spoilage. | Molds pose a higher risk to food spoilage as well as sanitation concerns especially with fresh food items. |
| Uses | Baking, production of ethanol vitamins The study of the cycle of cells. | Certain molds are utilized in the production of food For instance, Penicillium is utilized in the making of cheese. Neurospora is used is used in the production of Oncom, that is a leftovers of tofu. Mold is also an important saprophyte. |
| Species | 1500 species known to date – 1 percent from all the fungi. | There are 400,000 kinds of molds. |
| Examples | Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cryptococcus neoformans, etc. | Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Trichophyton, etc. |
