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A question to ponder:

After reusing yeast for 3 or more washes (and thousands of generations), we observe a new a strand with a new fermentation profile. Although the subsequent generations are different than their ancestors, they are still yeast.

Mankind has used yeast for thousands of years. Why is it, that after thousands of years and billions (or trillions) of generations, mankind has seen that yeast are still yeast and are not a new species? And, more interestingly, given that yeast remain yeast after billions of generations, how many billions (or trillions) of years will it take before a more complex organism (e.g., monkeys) evolves into a new species.

if your already perfect why change ?

Yeast are always evolving, but are still a long way off from being Vulcans. Single celled organisms appeared almost as soon as the Earth's crust cooled and nothing much more complex came along for billions of years, so maybe they're waiting for the right chance to become alcohol consumers instead of producers.

Cause sometimes staying the same is smarter evolution.

Humans propagate yeast with traits we find favorable, and maintain those strains for consistency in final product. As for wild yeasts, there's nothing saying that they aren't evolving.

most evolution comes about by necessity,as long as yeast have what they need there is no use in changing.they do evolve in small ways,if there is no sugar available they will develop enzymes to digest starch,this is being worked on with fuels ,most being kept secret by by big companies.this and others you wont hear about until its "old news"

My second wife used to be a yeast, but she was sure no turbo

Who's to say they haven't? And how could anyone know if they did? If just a small portion changed and went on to bigger and better things. That doesn't mean all of them will. So when yeast is collected in the wild for testing. Well your collecting yeast. Not what ever it turned into. So how do you know how to collect a sampling of something you don't know your looking for. Or you don't know what your looking for.

The only way to compete with the box stores is to find a niche market, and that they have. They even get along with their brethren, the lactic acid folks next door. Although, that EC-1118 strain sure gives them a fright! So aggressive, mean and greedy.

Evolution is just a theory, never proven.

King Of Hearts wrote:Evolution is just a theory, never proven.

So is every other explanation.

OlympicMtDoo wrote:My second wife used to be a yeast, but she was sure no turbo

i heard that ditto with my first one!

I found sufficient proof of evolution in observing those who didn't. Most likely served as an example of the same as well.

Definition of evolution (from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/evolution" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow)

"change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift"

From Wikipidea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow)

"Biologists agree that descent with modification is one of the most reliably established facts in science.[7]"

What started as fun and interesting thread is turning political religious. Bummer.

The most common top cropping brewer's yeast, S. cerevisiae, is the same species as the common baking yeast.[38] Brewer's yeast is also very rich in essential minerals and the B vitamins (except B12).[39] However, baking and brewing yeasts typically belong to different strains, cultivated to favour different characteristics: baking yeast strains are more aggressive, to carbonate dough in the shortest amount of time possible; brewing yeast strains act slower, but tend to produce fewer off-flavours and tolerate higher alcohol concentrations (with some strains, up to 22%).

blind drunk wrote:What started as fun and interesting thread is turning political religious. Bummer.

BD, sometimes the temptation is just too great.

Big R

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+1 BD, were off in sticky country now

Good point BD. My apologies all.

Yeah, I'm sorry too, but I was really trying to comment on the science.

My apologies as well. Was supposed to be funny, looks like my humor needs to evolve further.

OMD,,,,,,,,,,You owe me a new chair and maybe a new keyboard

Sorry Larry, ya ok?

Is it possible that the yeast hasn't evolved due to it's domestication?
How many herds of "wild cows" do you see in the World?
Another possible answer could be that how humans recognize time is simply not "broad" enough to recognize the changes yeast have made.
I often think that all these "fads" like using "metal tools" and "cooking" meat with "fire" are something that we should have left behind, but, I guess
it's a fair trade to be a husbandsman to my yeast herds........

blind drunk wrote:What started as fun and interesting thread is turning political religious. Bummer.

Praise the Lord..............Amen