What is the Difference Between Molds and Yeasts?

Molds and yeasts are both fungi, but they have different characteristics and modes of reproduction. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Cell Structure: Molds are multicellular and grow in the form of hyphae or mycelium, while yeasts are unicellular and can be round, oval, or filamentous in shape.
2. Reproduction: Molds reproduce both sexually and asexually, producing spores, while yeasts reproduce mostly asexually through budding.
3. Appearance: Molds are fuzzy and can be various colors, such as purple, orange, brown, green, pink, or black. In contrast, yeasts have a smooth appearance and are usually white or colorless.
4. Mode of Growth: Molds grow in long filaments called hyphae, which elongate by a process called apical extension. Yeasts, on the other hand, reproduce by budding, where a small daughter cell is formed on the surface of the parent cell.
5. Color: Molds are usually more colorful than yeasts, with colonies that can be pale yellow, cream, white, or colorless.
6. Energy Production: Molds secrete hydrolytic enzymes that degrade biopolymers into simpler substances that can be absorbed. Yeasts convert carbohydrates to alcohol and carbon dioxide in anaerobic fermentation and obtain carbon from hexose sugars.
7. Number of Types: There are 400,000 types of molds, while there are 1,500 types of yeasts.

In summary, molds are multicellular, filamentous fungi that reproduce sexually and asexually, while yeasts are unicellular and reproduce mainly through asexual budding. They have different appearances and modes of growth, with molds forming hyphae and yeasts forming single cells.

Comparative Table: Molds vs Yeasts

Molds and yeasts are both fungi, but they have different characteristics and modes of reproduction. Here is a table summarizing the differences between them:

Molds are multicellular fungi that grow in the form of hyphae or mycelium, while yeasts are microscopic and unicellular. Molds reproduce sexually or asexually, with the most common process being asexual reproduction through budding, where a small bud forms on the parent cell. In contrast, yeasts reproduce asexually and are also capable of producing energy both aerobically and anaerobically.