Definition

Slime molds are saprophytic organisms that form vegetative amoeboid plasmodia and spores. The feeding stage takes the form of a giant amoeba with thousands of nuclei, called a plasmodium. The plasmodium is not divided by cell membranes, but is enclosed by a single outer one. Many have bright colors such as yellow, brown and white.

Etymology. O.E. slim "slime," from P.Gmc. *slimaz (cf. O.N. slim, O.Fris. slym, Du. slijm, Ger. Schleim "slime"), probably related to O.E. lim "sticky substance," from PIE base *(s)lei- "slime, slimy, sticky, slippery" (cf. Rus. slimak "snail;" O.C.S. slina "spittle;" O.Ir. sligim "to smear;" Welsh llyfn "smooth;" Gk. leimax "snail," limne "marsh, pool, lake;" L. limus "slime, mud, mire," linere "to daub, besmear, rub out, erase;" see lime (1)). The verb meaning "to cover with slime" is recorded from 1628. The figurative sense of slimy as "morally repulsive" is first attested 1575.

Discussion

Facts. Slime molds are most likely to be found in wet locations or during rainy or wet periods. Slime molds can move, anout 1 millimeter per hour. They engulf their food. Food consists of fungi, bacteria or decaying orgaic matter.

Classification of slime molds:

Kingdom: Protista

Phylum: Amoebozoa

Class: Mycetozoa

There are several different groups of slime molds:

(a) Plasmodial slime molds. The feeding stage takes the form of a giant amoeba with thousands of nuclei, called a plasmodium. The plasmodium is not divided by cell membranes, but is enclosed by a single outer one. Many have bright colors such as yellow, browm and white.

(b) Cellular slime molds