Question

Slime molds are one example of fungus-like protists. Compare and contrast the two types of slime molds, their cell structure, and how they obtain nutrients.

Answer 1

Slime molds are fungus-like protists that come in two types: cellular slime molds and acellular slime molds. They have similar cell structures and reproduce by forming spores. However, they differ in how they obtain nutrients.

Step-by-step explanation:

Slime molds are one type of fungus-like protist. There are two main types of slime molds: cellular slime molds and acellular slime molds. Both types have similar cell structures, consisting of single cells that come together when food is scarce. However, they differ in their modes of nutrient acquisition.

Cellular slime molds have individual cells that can move independently. They obtain nutrients by ingesting bacteria and smaller particles. When food becomes scarce, these individual cells come together to form a multicellular slug-like structure called a pseudoplasmodium. The pseudoplasmodium then develops into a fruiting body that releases spores for reproduction.

Acellular slime molds do not have individual cells. Instead, they exist as a large, multinucleated mass called a plasmodium. The plasmodium extends its pseudopodia to engulf organic matter, such as decaying logs and leaf litter, for nutrition. When conditions become unfavorable, the plasmodium forms sporangia which release spores for dispersal.

Answer 2

Slime moulds belong to the Kingdom Protista. There are two major types of the same: Palsmodial moulds (Myxomycota)are also called as true moulds. they thousands of nuclei called a plasmodium, contained in a large single-celled mass. The flagellated cells of the same swarm and fuse and form new plasmodium with diploid nuclei. They ingest the food and digest it.
Another type is the cellular slime moulds (Dictyosteliomycota), which live as separate single cell organisms, which fuse together and form multicellular forms. In the presence of food, they live normally, but in absence of food they aggregate.