Main Difference
The main difference between Mold and Yeast is that the Mold is a diverse group of fungi and Yeast is a informal group of fungi.
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Mold
A mold (US) or mould (UK / NZ / AU / ZA / IN / CA / IE) is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts.
Molds are a large and taxonomically diverse number of fungal species in which the growth of hyphae results in discoloration and a fuzzy appearance, especially on food. The network of these tubular branching hyphae, called a mycelium, is considered a single organism. The hyphae are generally transparent, so the mycelium appears like very fine, fluffy white threads over the surface. Cross-walls (septa) may delimit connected compartments along the hyphae, each containing one or multiple, genetically identical nuclei. The dusty texture of many molds is caused by profuse production of asexual spores (conidia) formed by differentiation at the ends of hyphae. The mode of formation and shape of these spores is traditionally used to classify molds. Many of these spores are colored, making the fungus much more obvious to the human eye at this stage in its life-cycle.
Molds are considered to be microbes and do not form a specific taxonomic or phylogenetic grouping, but can be found in the divisions Zygomycota and Ascomycota. In the past, most molds were classified within the Deuteromycota.Molds cause biodegradation of natural materials, which can be unwanted when it becomes food spoilage or damage to property. They also play important roles in biotechnology and food science in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals and enzymes. Some diseases of animals and humans can be caused by certain molds: disease may result from allergic sensitivity to mold spores, from growth of pathogenic molds within the body, or from the effects of ingested or inhaled toxic compounds (mycotoxins) produced by molds.
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Yeast
Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and 1,500 species are currently identified. They are estimated to constitute 1% of all described fungal species. Yeasts are unicellular organisms which evolved from multicellular ancestors, with some species having the ability to develop multicellular characteristics by forming strings of connected budding cells known as pseudohyphae or false hyphae. Yeast sizes vary greatly, depending on species and environment, typically measuring 3–4 µm in diameter, although some yeasts can grow to 40 µm in size. Most yeasts reproduce asexually by mitosis, and many do so by the asymmetric division process known as budding.
Yeasts, with their single-celled growth habit, can be contrasted with molds, which grow hyphae. Fungal species that can take both forms (depending on temperature or other conditions) are called dimorphic fungi (“dimorphic” means “having two forms”).
By fermentation, the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae converts carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and alcohols – for thousands of years the carbon dioxide has been used in baking and the alcohol in alcoholic beverages. It is also a centrally important model organism in modern cell biology research, and is one of the most thoroughly researched eukaryotic microorganisms. Researchers have used it to gather information about the biology of the eukaryotic cell and ultimately human biology. Other species of yeasts, such as Candida albicans, are opportunistic pathogens and can cause infections in humans. Yeasts have recently been used to generate electricity in microbial fuel cells, and produce ethanol for the biofuel industry.
Yeasts do not form a single taxonomic or phylogenetic grouping. The term “yeast” is often taken as a synonym for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but the phylogenetic diversity of yeasts is shown by their placement in two separate phyla: the Ascomycota and the Basidiomycota. The budding yeasts (“true yeasts”) are classified in the order Saccharomycetales, within the phylum Ascomycota.
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Mold (noun)
A hollow form or matrix for shaping a fluid or plastic substance.
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Mold (noun)
A frame or model around or on which something is formed or shaped.
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Mold (noun)
Something that is made in or shaped on a mold.
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Mold (noun)
The shape or pattern of a mold.
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Mold (noun)
General shape or form.
“the oval mold of her face”
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Mold (noun)
Distinctive character or type.
“a leader in the mold of her predecessors”
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Mold (noun)
A fixed or restrictive pattern or form.
“His method of scientific investigation broke the mold and led to a new discovery.”
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Mold (noun)
A group of moldings.
“the arch mold of a porch or doorway;”
“the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts”
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Mold (noun)
A fontanelle.
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Mold (noun)
A natural substance in the form of a woolly or furry growth of tiny fungi that appears when organic material lies for a long time exposed to (usually warm and moist) air.
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Mold (noun)
Loose friable soil, rich in humus and fit for planting.
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Mold (noun)
Earth, ground.
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Mold (verb)
To shape in or on a mold.
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Mold (verb)
To form into a particular shape; to give shape to.
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Mold (verb)
To guide or determine the growth or development of; influence
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Mold (verb)
To fit closely by following the contours of.
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Mold (verb)
To make a mold of or from (molten metal, for example) before casting.
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Mold (verb)
To ornament with moldings.
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Mold (verb)
To be shaped in or as if in a mold.
“These shoes gradually molded to my feet.”
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Mold (verb)
To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
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Mold (verb)
To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.
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Mold (verb)
To cover with mold or soil.
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Yeast (noun)
An often humid, yellowish froth produced by fermenting malt worts, and used to brew beer, leaven bread, and also used in certain medicines.
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Yeast (noun)
A single-celled fungus of a wide variety of taxonomic families.
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Yeast (noun)
A true yeast or budding yeast in order Saccharomycetales.
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Yeast (noun)
, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Yeast (noun)
A compressed cake or dried granules of this substance used for mixing with flour to make bread dough rise.
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Yeast (noun)
brewer’s yeast, certain species of Saccharomyces, principally Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ver=161009.
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Yeast (noun)
Candida, a ubiquitous fungus that can cause various kinds of infections in humans.
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Yeast (noun)
A frothy foam.
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Yeast (verb)
To ferment.
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Yeast (verb)
To rise.
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Yeast (verb)
To exaggerate
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Mold (noun)
a town in north-eastern Wales, administrative centre of Flintshire; population 10,500 (est. 2009).
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Yeast (noun)
a microscopic fungus consisting of single oval cells that reproduce by budding, and capable of converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
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Yeast (noun)
a greyish-yellow preparation of the yeast fungus obtained chiefly from fermented beer, used as a fermenting agent, to raise bread dough, and as a food supplement.
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Yeast (noun)
any unicellular fungus that reproduces vegetatively by budding or fission, including forms such as candida that can cause disease.