Are slime molds heterotrophic or autotrophic?

Are slime molds heterotrophic or autotrophic?

Like plants, slime molds have cellulose in the cell walls of their spores. Unlike plants, slime molds are heterotrophs! Though they were formally classified as fungi, slime molds do not have chitin in their cell walls and have a diplontic life cycle (Figure 5.2.

Does slime mold have chloroplasts?

Slime molds do not have chloroplasts.

How do slime molds obtain energy?

These organisms exhibit properties of both fungi and protists. The slime molds and the water molds are members of this group. They all obtain energy by decomposing organic materials, and as a result, are important for recycling nutrients. It moves much like an amoeba, slowly sneaking along decaying organic material.

What are the characteristics of slime molds?

Slime molds have characteristics of both molds and protozoa. Under certain conditions, the slime mold exists as masses of cytoplasm, similar to amoebae. It moves over rotting logs or leaves and feeds by phagocytosis. The amoeba stage is called the plasmodium, which has many nuclei.

What kingdom is slime mold in?

Fungus
Myxomycetes/Kingdom

Where does meiosis occur in slime molds?

Spores – where it all starts At the end of these stalks nuclei undergo meiosis – chromosomes are reshuffled and nuclei divide making spores which are haploid – just one set of chromosomes. These mushroom like fruiting bodies are called sporangia.

Are slime Moulds photosynthetic protists?

Slime moulds- They belong to the kingdom protista. It feeds on dead plant material and microorganisms present in them. It is not a photosynthetic protist. sarcodines- Some sarcodines are free living and others are parasitic.

Where does meiosis take place in slime molds?

A stalk arises from the plasmodium, and nuclei within the stalk cells divide by meiosis. Knobs called sporangia develop at the end of the stalk and fill with haploid spores. The spores are shed and removed by the wind when the stalk dries.

What class does mold fall under?

Life Cycle

Division Class Common Name
Myxomycota Myxomycetes Plasmodial slime molds, acellular slime mold
Myxomycota Acrasiomycetes Cellular slime molds
Myxomycota Phycomycota Water molds

Are slime molds eukaryotic or prokaryotic?

Cellular slime molds are eukaryotic microorganisms in the soil. They feed on bacteria as solitary amoebae but conditionally construct multicellular forms in which cell differentiation takes place.

Are slime molds unicellular or multicellular?

Slime moulds (or slime molds) are earlier grouped under fungi, however, later they are kept in the kingdom Protista with other unicellular and small multicellular eukaryotic organisms. They are saprophytic and feed on dead and decaying organic matter.

What do slime molds eat?

They are saprophytic and feed on dead and decaying organic matter. The name ‘slime’ comes from the gelatinous appearance of macroscopic slime moulds. Under unfavourable conditions, they form aggregates, this is common in plasmodial or acellular slime moulds.

What is the life cycle of a slime mold?

The lifecycle of cellular slime moulds. Thousands of cells aggregate forming a multicellular slug, which creeps for a short distance and settles. Each cell in the slug retains its individuality and retains its plasma membrane. After settling down, fruiting bodies are formed in the slug, which contains spores.

What is Plasmodium slime?

A plasmodium is a shapeless growing mass that may reach two feet in diameter. In Georgia, slime molds differ from blue-gray in color to yellow, orange or black. Slime molds ‘creep’ along slowly but may travel up to several feet a day.

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