Alcoholic fermentation is one of two pathways, lactic fermentation being the other. Both fermentations occur in two stages. In the first stage, yeast breaks down glucose into pyruvate through a process called glycolysis. Glycolysis is the first stage in cellular respiration in all organisms. It is a process that cells use to break down glucose for energy. Pyruvate is what happens as a result of glycolysis. A carbon dioxide molecule is removed from the pyruvic acid leaving a two-carbon compound. In the second stage, two hydrogen atoms from NADH and N+ are combined to the two-carbon compound to create ethyl alcohol. The NADH is oxidized to make NAD+. Oxidation is when a substance loses electrons. NADH is the reduced state of NAD+.
- In Biology 101, we took 1 tablespoon of sugar and a small packet of yeast and mixed them together in warm water. Next we put it inside a 20oz plastic bottle and tightly covered the top of the bottle with a rubber glove and let it sit for about 20 minutes. The glove started to expand from the carbon dioxide being released. This process is used to create wine, beer, and bread. This example is a representation of alcoholic fermentation.
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