MORPHOLOGY OF SLIME MOLDS

The slime molds are mostly eukaryotic microorganisms which are mostly unicellular but can aggregate to form a multicellular organism. These have their own classification within Protista because of their uncommon morphology.
They show clearly protozoan characteristics at some stages in their life cycle, however at alternative stages, they become almost fungus-like.
Slime molds comprise two distinct teams that aren’t closely related: the cellular slime molds and also the true, or one-celled, slime molds.

A distinguishing morphological difference between the two teams that are the vegetative state of cellular slime molds in an exceedingly haploid ameboid cell.
The vegetative state of one-celled slime molds could be a cell organ diploid ameboid mass known as a plasmodium. each team grow in moist soil or decaying plant matter and are white, yellow, or red in color.
Slime molds are mostly founnd in damp forest soils, tree bark, and dead or dying wood.
A type of slime mold called Dog vomit fungus (Fuligo septica) which show up during warm, wet periods. These produce spores which are highly resistant.

LIFE CYCLE OF A SLIME MOULD

Reproduction in slime molds involves the assembly of a structure known as a plant organ, that contains spores.
Spores are special cells that are encased in an exceedingly powerful protecting coating.
Every reproductive structure will turn out to be a replacement organism. Spores free by a slime mould turn out to be tiny amoeba-like cells.
In one phylum of slime molds, every amoeba-like cell could develop into one cell that measures many centimetres in diameter.
This massive cell contains several nuclei. Eventually, the massive cell settles in one place and produces mature bodies.
The vegetative part of the cellular slime molds is an ameboid cell. looking on environmental conditions, these cells can enter either the sexual or the asexual reproductive part.
For reproduction, two cells of opposite sex types fuse to make a diploid cell. As alternative ameboid cells reach this cell, they’re phagocytized and large cell forms.
This cell undergoes meiosis and becomes a macrocyst. reproductive structure formation takes place within the macrocyst, from wherever the ensuing haploid spores are going to be free.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION.

The plasmodium part of the one-celled slime molds differs from the pseudoplasmodium of the cellular slime molds in that it is diploid.
This mass offers rise to a plant organ during which meiosis happens and haploid spores are made. The spores germinate to provide flagellate gametes.
These gametes fuse to make a diploid cell. The cell grows and its nucleus divides mitotically, however, the living substance doesn’t divide, leading to another plasmodium

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION.

Sexual reproduction is most likely to require a place in terribly damp conditions. In drier conditions, cellular slime molds enter an asexual reproductive part.
Haploid ameboid cells stop feeding and clump along to make a slug-like pseudoplasmodium. From this forms a stalked plant organ. during this plant organ spores will be produced and free.

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