Life Cycle

Figure 1
Yeast Asci

Each ascus contains the four spores produced as a result of a single meiosis. Its this characteristic of keeping the meiotic products together that makes baker's yeast a powerful tool in genetics.

Figure 2

Yeast mating mixture showing the characteristic shapes of yeast cells in this step of the life cycle.

Figure 3
Budding Yeast Cells
Figure 4
Yeast Asci

Normally spores form a tetrahedral shape inside the ascus. Occasionally an ascus forms that has all four spores in one plane.