Slime Molds Classification and Characteristics

Questions and Answers

What classification are slime molds now under?

protista kingdom, clustered under 'Mycetozoa'.

What characteristics make slime molds different from fungi?

Slime molds can absorb and digest their food internally, while fungi do not have this ability.

What is meant by a 'polyphyletic grouping'?

It means that organisms lumped together as slime molds aren't necessarily all related, showing similarities that are both convenient and misleading.

Name and describe the three main types of slime molds.

Protostelids - amoebae with simple fruiting bodies; Dictyostelids - cellular slime molds or 'social amoebae'; Myxomycetes - true slime molds. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main characteristics of a cellular slime mold?

They are model organisms uniquely placed between yeasts and higher animal cells with respect to cell motility and cytokinesis. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main characteristics of a plasmodial slime mold?

They are enormous single cells with thousands of nuclei, formed from the fusion of individual flagellated cells. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics make slime molds 'smart'?

Their ability to learn from uncomfortable stimuli and pass on knowledge to other Physarums, solve mazes, and make good nutritional choices. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification and Characteristics of Slime Molds

Slime molds are classified under the kingdom Protista and sub-clustered as Mycetozoa.
Unlike fungi, slime molds can absorb and digest food internally, a key distinguishing feature.

Polyphyletic Grouping

"Polyphyletic grouping" refers to a classification where organisms grouped as slime molds may not share a common ancestor.
This categorization highlights both shared characteristics and the misleading nature of such classifications in understanding evolution.

Types of Slime Molds

Protostelids: Comprise amoebae that form simple fruiting bodies with a stalk and a few spores; least studied among slime molds.
Dictyostelids (Cellular Slime Molds): Known as "social amoebae," displaying collective behavior.
Myxomycetes (Plasmodial Slime Molds): Fungus-like organisms noted for their large, multinucleate cells within the Protista kingdom.

Cellular Slime Molds

Cellular slime molds serve as a model organism that bridges characteristics between yeasts and higher animal cells.
Notable for their unique cell motility and cytokinesis process.

Plasmodial Slime Molds

Plasmodial slime molds are characterized by their enormous single cells containing thousands of nuclei.
These cells originate through the fusion of individual flagellated cells when they swarm together.

Intelligence in Slime Molds

Slime molds exhibit "smart" behaviors such as managing adverse stimuli and sharing knowledge through fusion with other Physarums.
They demonstrate problem-solving abilities, including navigating mazes and making optimal nutritional choices.

Description

Explore the fascinating world of slime molds, classified under the kingdom Protista. Understand the differences between slime molds and fungi, the concept of polyphyletic grouping, and discover the various types of slime molds, including protostelids, dictyostelids, and myxomycetes. This quiz will enhance your knowledge of these unique organisms.