How are plasmodial and cellular slime molds similar?
Plasmodial slime molds form a single-celled, multinucleate mass, whereas cellular slime molds form an aggregated mass of separate amoebas that are able to migrate as a unified whole. Slimes molds feed primarily on bacteria and fungi and contribute to the decomposition of dead plants.
What do an amoeba and a slime mold have in common?
Social amoebas are also known as cellular slime molds (as opposed to plasmodial slime molds). Both types of organisms form structures created from thousands of joined cells. The cellular type forms a multicellular slug that is visible to the naked eye but is tiny.
What are the similarities between slime molds and fungi?
What are the Similarities Between Slime Molds and Fungi? Both slime molds and fungi are eukaryotic organisms. Furthermore, both groups show both sexual and asexual modes of reproduction. Additionally, they form sporangia.
How do plasmodial slime molds differ from cellular slime molds?
Cellular slime molds reproduce in much the same way as plasmodial slime molds. There is one relatively major difference between cellular and plasmodial reproduction, cellular slime molds all remain individual cells with one nucleus; whereas plasmodial slime molds are one huge cell with millions of nuclei.
How do slime molds obtain nutrients?
Slime molds go through a process called “phagocytosis” in order to gain the necessary nutrients. This simply means that the slime mold engulfs its food items and internally digests it. They can utilize many different substances as food. Some of these substances include: decaying leaves, logs and dung.
What is the natural habitat of cellular and plasmodial slime molds?
The first group is known as the plasmodial slime molds, or Myxomycetes. The slime molds can exist as cells that appear similar to amoeba , and which are able to move to find food. A common habitat for these cells is underneath rotting logs and damp leaves, where the cellulose that the cells use for food is abundant.
Why are slime molds closely related to amoebas?
Slime molds begin life as amoeba-like cells. These contain many nuclei without cell membranes between them, and can grow to meters in size. The species Fuligo septica is often seen as a slimy yellow network in and on rotting logs. The amoebae and the plasmodia engulf microorganisms.
What are slime molds related to?
Slime molds move, and lack chitin in their cell walls. They are now classified as belonging to the Kingdom Protista (Protoctista). Mycologists have studied them for so long that slime molds are still included in mycology textbooks. Physarum polycephalum is a plasmodial slime mold.
In what ways are slime molds and water molds similar to fungi?
Slime molds are fungus-like protists that grow as slimy masses on decaying matter. They are commonly found on items such as rotting logs. Water molds are fungus-like protists present in moist soil and surface water; they live as parasites or on decaying organisms.
What is the main difference between the two different kinds of slime molds in their vegetative state?
A distinguishing morphological difference between the two groups is the vegetative state of cellular slime molds in a haploid amebiod cell, whereas the vegetative state of acellular slime molds is a multinucleate diploid ameboid mass called a plasmodium.
In what way do slime molds resemble protists?
Slime molds are fungus-like protists commonly found on rotting logs and compost. They move very slowly in search of decaying matter to eat. When food is scarce, individual cells swarm together to form a blob-like mass, like the “dog vomit” slime mold in the Figure below.
How do protists acquire nutrients?
Protist Nutrition Protists get food in one of three ways. They may ingest, absorb, or make their own organic molecules. Ingestive protists ingest, or engulf, bacteria and other small particles. They extend their cell wall and cell membrane around the food item, forming a food vacuole.