Final answer:
Salt is the ingredient that slows down the growth of yeast.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ingredient that slows down the growth of yeast is salt. Yeast is a type of fungus that requires an optimal environment to grow and reproduce. Salt acts as a preservative and creates a hypertonic environment, drawing out water from the yeast cells through osmosis. This causes the yeast to dehydrate and slows down its growth.
For example, when making bread dough, adding too much salt can inhibit yeast growth and result in denser bread. On the other hand, the absence of salt may lead to excessive yeast growth, causing the bread to rise too quickly and result in a porous texture.
It's important to note that salt is not the only ingredient that can slow down yeast growth. Other factors such as temperature, pH levels, and the presence of certain chemicals can also affect yeast growth.