A byproduct of yeast eating sugars is carbon dioxide. The bread dough, being in a fluid state, but stiffened by the glutens does not let the gas release easily, instead causing pockets or bubbles to form.
Yeast is called a leavening agent. The growing yeast produces carbon dioxide which collects in the dough and makes the bread rise. With out a leavening agent bread would be flat
The leavening of bread is the ingredient which aids in the rising process. Yeast is the typical leavening agent used to make bread. Depending on the bread, there are variations of yeast to choose from including active dry yeast and quick-rise yeast.
Leavening is what causes the bread to rise. The difference between say a tortilla and a biscuit.
Yeast is used as a leavening agent. The product, bread, will have a softer and lighter result
Bread contains a leavening agent. This is usually in the form of yeast. Yeast are living microorganisms that contain a type of gas. During baking, the yeast dies and releases gas. This causes the bread to rise and become light.
In baking, the purpose of yeast is 'leavening'. That is 'to make the dough rise' by producing gas to make bubbles in the dough. Baking powder and eggs share a similar purpose in recipes. In brewing, it is to introduce bacteria to the brew to aid in fermentation.
The leavening agent reacts with moisture, heat, acidity, or other triggers to produce gas that becomes trapped as bubbles within the dough. When the dough is baked, it "sets" and the holes left by the gas bubbles remain, giving bread the baked goods their soft, sponge-like textures.
Making bread involves a step called leavening (usually), and that's the part of the operation where your question regarding bread making chemistry is pointing. A leavening agent causes gas to be produced. Be sure to read enough to differentiate the effect of steam (created inside the dough mass) on the finished bread from leavening. Point your cursor to the link and surf on over to our friends at Wikipedia to get the straight scoop. These folks are down with it.
It is the action of the yeast that causes breads to rise. Yeast as it grows produces carbon dioxide this is trapped in the bread dough and causes the dough to rise. Leavening with yeast is a process based on fermentation, biologically changing the chemistry of the dough or batter as the yeast works. Yeast leavening requires proofing, which allows the yeast time to reproduce and consume carbohydrates in the flour.
Leavening agents are the ingredients that make the baked goods rise so they are light and airy. It could be yeast, baking soda, or baking powder. Sometimes in cakes, the eggs are whipped into a froth to add air to the cake and this acts as a leavening agent.
The combination of an acid (such as buttermilk) and a base (such as baking soda) creates a chemical reaction that causes leavening in Irish soda bread. When these ingredients are mixed together, carbon dioxide gas is produced, which helps the bread rise and become lighter in texture.
The function of leavening agents is to cause the baked goods (breads, cakes, etc.) to rise. There are different types of leavening agents, such as yeast, baking powder and baking soda. Eggs are also sometimes used as a leavening agent, especially in some pound cake recipes. Without leavening, the baked goods will not only be flat, but won't taste as good, either.