Final answer:
The asexual life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum originates from the collective behavior of individual amoeboid cells that aggregate under resource scarcity to form a multicellular organism, showcasing the evolutionary path to multicellularity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The asexual life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum exhibits multicellular organization derived from the aggregation of many individual cells. During favorable conditions, these cells exist and function independently as amoeboid organisms. When nutrients decrease, they aggregate to form a multicellular slug, which then differentiates into a fruiting body that produces haploid spores capable of becoming new amoeboid cells. Dictyostelium discoideum serves as a critical model organism for exploring the evolution of multicellularity.
As a cellular slime mold, it transitions from solitary amoeboid cells to a coordinated multicellular entity. This organism's life cycle provides insights into the development of complex life forms from single-celled ancestors. This aggregation and differentiation of individual cells into a multicellular organism demonstrates how the complex organization and functionality of a slime mold develop from the basic building blocks of individual cells.