CELLULAR SLIME MOLD Meaning and
Definition
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Cellular slime mold refers to a type of slime mold that belongs to the phylum Dictyostelida. It is characterized by its unique life cycle and cellular organization. Cellular slime molds are single-celled organisms that typically live in soil or decaying organic matter. Their name "cellular" is derived from the fact that individual cells can live independently until conditions become unfavorable, triggering a remarkable process of aggregation into multicellular structures.
During the initial solitary stage, cellular slime molds function as independent amoeboid cells, each feeding on bacteria and other microorganisms. However, when the food supply diminishes or environmental conditions worsen, these cells release chemical signals that attract other cells of their kind nearby.
This aggregation leads to the formation of a multicellular slug-like structure known as a pseudoplasmodium or grex. These grex move together, guided by light and other environmental cues, in search of a suitable location for their final transformation. Upon finding a favorable location, the grex forms a structure called a fruiting body, which consists of a stalk supporting a spore-bearing structure known as spore head or sorocarp.
The spore head contains numerous spores that will eventually be spread by environmental factors such as wind or water, enabling the dispersion and germination of new cellular slime mold colonies in different areas. This complex life cycle, alternating between solitary and communal forms, constitutes a fundamental characteristic of cellular slime molds.
Common Misspellings for CELLULAR SLIME MOLD
- xellular slime mold
- vellular slime mold
- fellular slime mold
- dellular slime mold
- cwllular slime mold
- csllular slime mold
- cdllular slime mold
- crllular slime mold
- c4llular slime mold
- c3llular slime mold
- ceklular slime mold
- ceplular slime mold
- ceolular slime mold
- celkular slime mold
- celpular slime mold
- celoular slime mold
- cellylar slime mold
- cellhlar slime mold
- celljlar slime mold
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