slime mold slime mold or slime fungus,a heterotrophic organism once regarded as a fungus but later classified with the Protista. In a recent system of classification based on analysis of nucleic acid (genetic material) sequences, slime molds have been classified in a major group called the eukarya (or eukaryotes), which includes plants and animals. There are two groups of slime molds, the plasmodial slime molds of the phylum (division) Myxomycota and the cellular slime molds of Acrasiomycota.
Slime molds have complex life cycles that may be divided into an animallike motile phase, in which growth and feeding occur, and a plantlike, immotile, reproductive phase. The motile phase is commonly found under rotting logs and damp leaves, where cellulose is abundant. It consists in the cellular slime molds of solitary, amebalike cells, and in the Myxomycota of a coenocytic (multinucleate) mass of protoplasm called a plasmodium, which creeps about by ameboid movement. Plasmodia often grow to a diameter of several inches and are frequently brightly colored. Both types ingest solid food particles using a process called phagocytosis (see endocytosis). They feed on living microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts, as well as decaying vegetation. Before entering the reproductive stage, a plasmodium moves to a drier, better-lit place, such as the top of a log. In the amebalike, or cellular, slime molds, up to 125,000 individual cells aggregate and flow together, forming a multicellular mass called a pseudoplasmodium that resembles a slug and crawls about before settling in a location with acceptable warmth and brightness.
In the reproductive stage the plasmodium or pseudoplasmodium is transformed into one or more reproductive structures called fruiting bodies, each consisting of a stalk topped by a spore-producing capsule that resembles the reproductive structures of many fungi. Eventually the cellulose-walled spores are released and dispersed; they germinate in wet places, releasing naked cells. In a typical plasmodial slime mold the germinated spores go through an ameboid or flagellated swimming stage, followed by sexual fusions and cell divisions. The diploid ameboid cell (i.e., the zygote) grows and its nucleus divides repeatedly, resulting in the formation of a new plasmodium. Under adverse conditions a plasmodium may be transformed into a hard, dry, inactive mass called a sclerotium. Resistant to desiccation, it becomes a plasmodium again when favorable conditions return.
In the case of the cellular slime molds, each spore released becomes a single ameba, which feeds individually until starving cells release a chemical signal that causes them to aggregate into a new pseudoplasmodium, and the process is repeated.
To begin this discussion on the life cycle of Hydnum Repandum, this text will start with the basidiospore germination (Webster 295). This results in a haploid mycelium with a single nucleus in each cell. It is then referred to as the monokaryon, or the primary mycelium (Ross 141). Following this, two genetically different thalli come together, and the nuclei move from one thallus into another. The migration of nuclei usually results in both of the thalli becoming dikaryotic (Ross 142). This nuclear migration is very quick, and every hyphal tip becomes binucleate. The subsequent growth of the mushroom is all dikaryon (Ross 143).
The gametophytes used in this experiment are of C-ferns. They tend to mature and produce spores at temperature of 28oC and conditions of high humidity. The spores that germinate first are hermaphrodites. Hermaphrodites tend to produce a pheromone called antheridiogen. It is this pheromone that causes later germinating spores to become male.
N fowleri has three stages of their cycle. In the amoeboid trophozoite stage, they are infectious and measure 10-35 µm long. The trophozoite transforms to a non-feeding flagellate when food sources are limited. Flagellates are motile and measure 10-20 µm in length. The amoeba or flagellate will form a cyst, the dormant stage, if the environment is too cold and not conducive to continued feeding and growth. When the organism is in the cyst stage, it has a single layered wall and only one nucleus. The cyst measures 7-1...
It is caused by parasites of the Plasmodium species(in text reference). These parasites are carried by mosquitoes which become infected after biting someone who has malaria. Malaria is then passed on to others when the infected mosquito bites another person. In rare cases malaria can be passed to another person through blood transfusions, organ donations or shared needles.
Sordaria fimicola is a species of microscopic fungus that is an Ascomycete and are used to test for genetic variation in the lab setting (Sordaria fimicola: A Fungus used in Genetics, Volk). These organisms are what are called model organisms, or species that has been widely studied usually because it is easy to maintain and breed in a laboratory setting and has particular experimental advantages (Sordaria fimicola, Volk). S. fimicola, because it is in the Ascomycota phylum, have a distinguishing reproductive structure called the ascus, which is surrounded by the perithecium. This cylindrical sac-like structure houses 8 haploid spores; created through meiosis to produce 4 haploid spores and then mitosis to make 8 (Lab Manual, pg. 59-68). Based on the genotype they will vary in order and color. There are 3 different ratios that can arise from the 8 ascospores: 4:4, 2:2:2:2, and 2:4:2 (black/wild type and tan coloration). The 4:4 ratio suggests that no crossing over had occurred because there is no difference in order of the color parents that were mated. The two other ratios suggest genetic recombination, or crossing over, because of the
Sordaria fimicola belongs to the kingdom of fungi and is part of the phylum Ascosmycota. This fungus habitat is in the feces of herbivores. As many fungi Sordaria have one life cycles which is haploid/ diploid. It is commonly exits as a haploid organism, but when the mycelium from two individuals meets, the result is a diploid zygote. This diploid zygote which undergoes meiosis forms eight haploid ascospores . The ability of Sordaria to make 8 haploid ascospores is what makes it unique and important for the laboratory exercise done in lab.
In the kingdom of Fungi, is a collection of different organic multicellulary eukaryotic organisms. Fuguses are unique from any other life form. They grow in the wild yet they are not plants. They also breakdown and digest animals and plants alike, but they are not animals. Fungi are made up of chitin, a derivative of glucose that is also found in cephalopods, arthopods and crustaceans alike. Similiar to cellulose which is a what plants' cell walls are comprised of, Chitin is a tough material that gives the Fungi its structure.
Meiosis, also called reduction division, is a distinct type of cell division that is essential for sexual reproduction to occur. It is one in which two successive divisions of diploid cell occur thereby producing four genetically different haploid daughter cells, also called gametes, each with half the number of chromosomes and thus, half the total amount of genetic material as compared to the amount before meiosis began. Interphase precedes meiosis and thus, paves the way for meiosis to eventuate as the cell’s DNA replicates in the S phase yielding corresponding, identical chromosomes. Interphase sparks the marvelous process of meiosis that allows variation to transpire within the organisms it occurs, hence, giving rise to millions of organisms with unique aspects unlike any other on Earth. Because meiosis is a form of sexual reproduction itself, it is the means through which gametes are produced, each with a reduced number of chromosomes, so that when two gametes fuse during fertilization, not only do they form a diploid zygote with 46 chromosomes, but also have manifested differing features due to the rearrangement (crossing-over) of chromosomes.
The Bt spores then leak from the gut and germinate in the insect, causing death within a few days.
Mold is a member of the fungi family. Since mold is part of the fungi family, it cannot use the sun to obtain energy. This means that mold has to use other plants or animals to grow. Even though they cannot see them, there are millions of mold spores in the air. These spores settle down and start to multiply which can be done rapidly or slowly as long as it has a food source. Mold usually grows best in warm environments, but it can still grow in cold environments also. Mold can cause illness such as vomiting or feeling nauseated when it is eaten or when it smells bad.
Yeast Yeast are a tiny form of fungi or plant-like microorganism (visible only under a microscope) that exist in or on all living matter i.e. water, soil, plants, air, etc. A common example of a yeast is the bloom we can observe on grapes. As a living organism yeast needs sugars, water and warmth to stay alive. In addition, albumen or nitrogenous material are also necessary for yeast to thrive.
A biofilm is a layer consisting of various combinations of many different organisms, autotrophic and heterotrophic. They are dense, organized communities of cells, encased in a self-produced slime. The bacteria grow together in water like atmospheres, attaching to a solid surface, forming a small ecosystem. Biofilms are known as micro-environments, micro-habitats, or slime matrix. They help decompose dead organisms and recycle carbon and nutrients.
Mycoplasma is a tiny pocket of matter surrounded by a cytoplasmic membrane in which inside each cell contains agar. Do to the fact that it does not have a cell wall its life cycle is affected by this and “it is classified as bacteria for containing RNA and DNA” (Jones). Much like parasites, mycoplasma lives within another organism such as a human being and receives its necessary nutrients by the process of exchanging compounds through its membrane. “Reproduction for mycoplasma is quite different from that of regular bacteria” (Jones). Research by the University of Babylon suggests that it reproduces from fragmentation of its DNA since no cell wall is available to divide and reform for a new cell.
Their flesh gradually becomes clear and their white skeleton becomes visible. Moreover, their whole body would be covered by fuzzy microalgae.