acellular slime mold

Thân thiện

A scientist observes an acellular slime mold on a decaying log.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of slime mold: "Acellular slime mold" refers to a specific biological organism belonging to the class Myxomycetes. It is characterized by a vegetative (feeding) stage that exists as a single, large, multinucleate cell called a plasmodium, rather than as a mass of individual cells.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The acellular slime mold spread across the decaying log in a network of yellow veins.
  • Scientists study the movement and behavior of the acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used in scientific contexts, particularly in biology, mycology, and ecology, to describe and classify these specific protists.
• It is often contrasted with "cellular slime mold," which has a multicellular vegetative stage.

Variants and Related Words

• Myxomycete (n): The scientific class name for acellular slime molds.
• Plasmodial slime mold (n): Another common name for acellular slime mold, referring to its plasmodial stage.
• Plasmodium (n): The vegetative, feeding form of an acellular slime mold.

Synonyms

• Plasmodial slime mold
• Myxomycete (when referring to an organism in that class)

Related Terms and Concepts

• Slime mold: The broader category that includes both acellular and cellular types.
• Protist: The kingdom to which slime molds belong.
• Plasmogamy: The process of fusion that helps form the plasmodium.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a slime mold of the class Myxomycetes

Từ đồng nghĩa

• true slime mold
• plasmodial slime mold
• myxomycete