How is yeast considered a fungus?
http://www.yeastgenome.org/VL-what_are_yeast.html
Yeast are unicellular fungi. The precise classification is a field that uses the characteristics of the cell, ascospore and colony. Physiological characteristics are also used to identify species. One of the more well known characteristics is the ability to ferment sugars for the production of ethanol. Budding yeasts are true fungi of the phylum Ascomycetes, class Saccharomycetes (also called Hemiascomycetes). The true yeasts are separated into one main order Saccharomycetales.
Yeast is classified as a fungus because it shares important characteristics with other members of the fungal kingdom. To understand why yeast is considered a fungus, we need to look at its structure, mode of reproduction, and its nutritional requirements.
1. Structure: Yeast cells, like other fungi, are eukaryotic, meaning they have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Yeast cells are typically round or oval-shaped, and they can exist as single-celled organisms or form multicellular clusters.
2. Reproduction: Yeast reproduces through a process called budding. During budding, a small bud forms on the parent yeast cell, which eventually grows and separates to become a new independent yeast cell. This is a common mode of reproduction seen in many fungi.
3. Nutritional Requirements: Like other fungi, yeast is an organism that obtains energy by breaking down organic matter. Yeast feeds on sugars or other carbohydrates, converting them into energy through the process of fermentation. This metabolic characteristic is shared by various fungi.
Overall, yeast possesses these fundamental traits and characteristics that align with the larger group of fungi, which is why it is classified within the fungal kingdom.