Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a species of yeast commonly used in baking, brewing, and winemaking. It is a single-celled fungus that ferments sugars, producing carbon dioxide and alcohol. This process is essential for making bread rise and for creating alcoholic beverages. This yeast is also a model organism in scientific research due to its simple genetics and rapid growth. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has contributed significantly to our understanding of cellular processes, genetics, and biotechnology, making it an important tool in both industry and research laboratories.