Is slime mold a Heterotroph?

Is slime mold a Heterotroph?

Slime molds are important heterotrophs in the decomposition of dead organic matter in temperate and tropical forests. The transformation of the plasmodium into spore-bearing “fruiting bodies” or fructifications can occur within hours.

What are slime molds classified as?

Slime molds are classified in the Kingdom Protista (the Protists), despite many years of having been classified as fungi, in the class Myxomycetes.

Are slime Moulds autotrophic protists?

Slime moulds are advanced protists as they are saprophytic protists. Saprophytic protists feed on dead or decaying organic matter for their nourishment.

Are fungi Autotroph?

Algae, along with plants and some bacteria and fungi, are autotrophs. Autotrophs are the producers in the food chain, meaning they create their own nutrients and energy.

Are slime Moulds autotrophic or heterotrophic?

Unlike plants, slime molds are heterotrophs! Though they were formally classified as fungi, slime molds do not have chitin in their cell walls and have a diplontic life cycle (Figure 5.2.

Do slime molds have cellulose?

These protists differ from fungi in that their cell walls have cellulose rather than chitin. During food shortages, slime molds swarm and aggregate into an enormous single cell, where they can then form fruiting bodies and release spores.

Are slime molds decomposers?

Slime molds are found worldwide. Water molds thrive in water and wet soil. They are considered to be more closely related to plants than fungi since they have cellulose cell walls. They are mostly marine and are decomposers of dead plant material or parasites on plants and algae or some animals.

Is slime mold a phylum?

Amoebozoa
Myxogastria/Phylum

Are slime molds macroscopic or microscopic?

Slime molds are microscopic organisms. As slime molds are eukaryotic organisms, they have their genetic material contained within a membrane inside the cell.

Are slime molds fungi or protists?

Slime molds were formerly classified as fungi but are no longer considered part of that kingdom. Although not forming a single monophyletic clade, they are grouped within the paraphyletic group referred to as kingdom Protista. More than 900 species of slime mold occur globally.

Are mold autotrophs or heterotrophs?

Fungi are heterotrophs, meaning they obtain food from outside themselves. Common fungi include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.