Slime Molds

eukaryotic cells that resemble amoebas

Life Cycle

1. amoebid cells ingest fungi by phagocytosis

2. large #s of these cells aggregate to form one single structure

3. aggregation occurs b/c some amoebas produce cAMP which attracts other amoeba

4. structure is enclosed in slimy sheath = slug. Slug migrates toward light

5. a few hours later, slug stops and forms different structures

6. some form stalk, some form spore cap

7. most form into spores

8. spores are released

9. germinate to form single amoebas

mass of protoplasm with many nuclei

Life Cycle

1. entire plasmodium moves as giant amoeba eating debris and bacteria

2. cytoplasmic streaming: protoplasm moves w/in and changes both direction and speed so the oxygen and nutrients are distributed evenly

3. when food in short supply, plasmodium separates into many groups of protoplasm

4. each group forms a stalked sporangium

5. spores develop

6. nuclei undergo meiosis and form uninucleate haploid cells

7. spores released

8. spores germinate when conditions right

9. fuse to form diploid cells

10. develop into multinucleated plasmodium