Question

Cellular slime molds (a) include Physarum and Phytophthora (b) are more closely related to bacteria than are any other protists (c) are responsible for late blight of potatoes, which led to starvation in Ireland in the 1840 s (d) have double-gene fusion (e) form a slug when cells aggregate in response to cyclic AMP

Answer 1

Cellular slime molds, including Physarum and Phytophthora, are Eukaryotic organisms that display multicellular behaviors at certain stages. Phytophthora was responsible for the potato blight in 1840s Ireland. Cells aggregate to form a 'slug' in response to cyclic AMP signals.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cellular slime molds are a group of organisms including species such as Physarum and Phytophthora that display unique behaviors and genetic characteristics. Contrary to the statement, they are not more closely related to bacteria than any other protists, but are part of the Eukaryotic kingdom, separate from bacteria. Phytophthora is indeed notorious for causing late blight of potatoes, which was a major factor in the Ireland starvations during the 1840s. Cellular slime molds do not exhibit double-gene fusion, but are known for their multicellular behavior during certain growth stages, in which cells aggregate to form a 'slug', in response to cyclic AMP, which is a signaling molecule.

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