Steven Yeh Pd. 4

What Are They? 2 groups of protists –1. Plasmodial slime molds –2. Cellular Slime Molds Similar to fungi because of convergent evolution of filamentous body structure –Use spores to reproduce and spread to get food like fungi –Decomposers like fungi

Plasmodial Slime Molds Brightly pigmented (yellow or orange) All heterotrophic Feeding stage is called plasmodium (amoeboid mass) –Diameter of several centimeters at largest –Diploid –Single mass of cytoplasm undivided by membranes and have lots of nuclei –Used to study details of mitosis –Cytoplasm streams back and forth in pulsing flows called cytoplasmic streaming; helps distribute nutrients and oxygen –Eats by phagocytosis by extending pseudopodia through soil/leaf mulch/logs.

Life Cycle of Plasmodial Slime Mold

Cellular Slime Molds Feeding stage: solitary cells that function individually –When out of food, it then functions like a unit Cells maintain identity and are separated by membranes Haploid (only zygote is diploid) Fruiting bodies used in asexual reproduction No flagellated stages

Life Cycle of Cellular Slime Mold

Pictures of Slime Molds – Fuligo Septica

Myxomycetes and Lamproderma

Protostalids