Question

The chief enzyme found in yeast cell is
A) Invertase
B) Maltase
C) Zymase
D) Amylase

Answer 1

Yeast is an anaerobic fungus which is very widely used in the food and beverage industry. It metabolises by anaerobic fermentation which breaks down sugar present in the food to ethanol and carbon dioxide. The enzyme which catalyses the reaction is the chief enzyme present in the yeast.

Complete answer:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a biologically important organism which is used in several industries especially food processing industries. The yeast undergoes anaerobic fermentation which helps in breaking down sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide. This process is catalysed by the enzyme zymase which helps in conversion of sugar to ethanol. This process is chiefly used in the beer industry and also in bakery industries. Along with ethanol and carbon dioxide, it produces many metabolites which enhance the taste and flavour.
Invertase- It catalyses the hydrolysis of sucrose. It is present naturally in human saliva and also certain strains of yeast produce the same.
Maltase- This enzyme catalyses the hydrolysis of maltose to glucose. This enzyme is found/ produced in plants, certain bacteria and in some strains of yeast.
Amylase- This enzyme catalyses hydrolysis of starch. It is produced in human saliva, intestines.

Thus the correct answer is option C.

Note: Zymase activity varies in different strains of yeast. Zymase was first isolated by Eduard Buchner in a laboratory using non living cells. The zymase activity is harnessed in the beer and alcohol industry. The yeast is also used in making medicines and antibiotics.