An Introduction to Enzymes He postulated that these ferments were inseparable from the structure of living yeast cells; this view, called vitalism(活力论, prevailed for decades. THen in1897 Eduard buchner discovered that yeast extracts could ferment sugar to alcohol, proving that fermentation was promoted by molecules that continued to function when removed from cells. frederick w. kuhne called these molecules enzymes. As vitalistic notions of life were disproved, the isolation of new enzymes and the investigation of their properties advanced the science of biochemistryAn Introduction to Enzymes He postulated that these ferments were inseparable from the structure of living yeast cells; this view, called vitalism(活力论), prevailed for decades. Then in 1897 Eduard Buchner discovered that yeast extracts could ferment sugar to alcohol, proving that fermentation was promoted by molecules that continued to function when removed from cells. Frederick W. Kühne called these molecules enzymes. As vitalistic notions of life were disproved, the isolation of new enzymes and the investigation of their properties advanced the science of biochemistry