cellular slime mold
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of slime mold: A simple organism that exists as individual, independent cells for most of its life cycle. These cells later aggregate to form a multicellular, reproductive structure. It is distinguished from true (acellular) slime molds by remaining cellular and having nuclei in all stages.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Under the microscope, the life cycle of the cellular slime mold was fascinating to observe.
- The biology class studied the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium as a model for cell communication and differentiation.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Context: The term is primarily used in biology and microbiology to describe specific taxa, such as those in the group Dictyostelia.
- Research on cellular slime molds has provided key insights into the evolution of multicellularity.
Variants and Related Words
- Slime mold (n): A broader category of fungus-like organisms that includes both cellular and acellular (plasmodial) types.
- Dictyostelid (n): The formal taxonomic name for organisms commonly called cellular slime molds.
- Acellular slime mold (n): Also called plasmodial slime mold; a related but distinct type where the feeding stage is a single, large cell with many nuclei.
Synonyms
- Dictyostelid
- Social amoeba (This term emphasizes the single-celled, amoeboid stage that later cooperates to form a multicellular structure.)
Related Phrases
- Aggregative multicellularity: A biological process exemplified by cellular slime molds, where independent cells come together to form a temporary multicellular organism.
Noun
- differing from true slime molds in being cellular and nucleate throughout the life cycle