Question

Are slime mold saprophytes?

Answer 1

Slime mold

1. Slime molds are fungal-like organisms belonging to the kingdom Protista.
2. They are eukaryotic and unrelated but aggregate as an individual organism that is mobile and feeds like an amoeba.
3. They reproduce through spores and have specialized fruiting bodies for it.
4. Stemonitis and Physarum are some common examples of slime molds.

Saprophytes

1. These heterotroph organisms feed on dead and decaying matter externally.
2. They secrete chemicals or enzymes that break down the organic matter and the nutrients are then absorbed.
3. Fungi and bacteria are some examples of saprophytes.
4. Slime molds are saprophytes.
5. They absorb nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter.
6. They are mobile and have 'a creeping' or amoeba-like locomotion.