Question

How are slime moulds classified?

Answer 1

Slime moulds

1. Slime moulds are saprophytic organisms that feed on dead and decaying organic matter.
2. They are classified under the kingdom Protista.
3. They resemble both fungi and protozoa in some characteristics.
4. They are can be either cellular or acellular slime moulds.

• Acellular slime moulds

1. They are also called Plasmodial slime moulds as their feeding stage is a multinucleate protoplasm's mass called plasmodium.
2. They reproduce asexually during a food shortage.
3. Example- Physarum

• Cellular slime moulds

1. Their feeding stage is a single-celled amoeboid structure.
2. They closely resemble amoebas.
3. During food shortage, they form aggregates and reproduce asexually by spore formation.
4. Example- Dictyostelium