The Pasteur Effect

The Pasteur Effect describes how cells reduce fermentation and increase oxygen use when oxygen is available. In low oxygen conditions, cells switch to fermentation, which produces less energy but allows survival. When oxygen is plentiful, cells prefer using it to generate more energy efficiently through respiration. This process was observed by Louis Pasteur, who noted that yeast cells ferment less in the presence of oxygen. Essentially, the Pasteur Effect highlights how cells regulate their energy production based on oxygen availability to optimize efficiency and function.