Definition

Noun: A true slime mold is a type of slime mold belonging to the taxonomic class Myxomycetes. These organisms are known for their unique life cycle, which includes a mobile, amoeba-like feeding stage called a plasmodium. They are typically found in moist, decaying organic matter like logs and leaf litter.

Usage

The term is used specifically in biology and mycology to distinguish these organisms from other groups sometimes called slime molds, such as cellular slime molds. - Under the microscope, the true slime mold exhibited a complex, multinucleate plasmodium. - The biology students went into the forest to collect samples of a true slime mold for their project.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Classification: The term is precise and used in academic texts to refer to members of the class Myxomycetes, which is part of the supergroup Amoebozoa.
  • The research paper focused on the phylogenetic placement of the true slime mold within the Eukaryota.

Variants and Related Words

• Myxomycete (n): The scientific synonym for a true slime mold.
  • Myxomycetes are fascinating subjects for the study of primitive intelligence.
• Plasmodial slime mold (n): Another common name for a true slime mold, referring to its feeding stage.
  • The plasmodial slime mold spread across the rotting wood in a yellow network.

Synonyms

• Myxomycete
• Plasmodial slime mold
• Acellular slime mold (This term highlights that the feeding stage is not divided into separate cells).

Related Phrases

• Slime mold (n): A broader, common-name category that includes both true (plasmodial) slime molds and cellular slime molds.
  • Not all slime molds are true slime molds; some are cellular.

Notes

The term "true slime mold" is used to provide taxonomic clarity. In non-scientific contexts, the simpler term "slime mold" is often used, which can lead to ambiguity.

Noun

1. a slime mold of the class Myxomycetes