slime mould

slime mould
slime mold slime mold, slime mould slime mould . 1. An unusual fungus-like protist of the phylum Myxomycota or the class Myxomycetes, having a stage of growth in which it comprises a naked noncellular multinucleate mass of creeping protoplasm having characteristics of both plants and animals; it also has a propagative phase in which it develops fruiting bodies bearing spores; it is sometimes classified as a protist. It is called also {acellular slime mold}. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

2. Any of several remarkable amoebalike organisms of the phylum Acrasiomycota, mostly terrestrial, having a fruiting phase resembling that of the {acellular slime molds}, but being cellular and nucleate throughout their life cycle; called also {cellular slime mold}. The most studied species is {Dictyostelium discoideum}. In their feeding phase, they live like amoebae as individual cells, engulfing bacteria as a prime food source. When the food source diminishes, they begin to aggregate, swarming together to form clumps which may move toward heat and light, so as to reach the surface of the ground; they then differentiate into a form with spores contained within a sporangium resting on a stalk. When the spores are carried to another location with adequate food supplies, the spores may germinate to resume the life cycle. The phase of aggregation appears to be initiated by release of cyclic AMP, serving as a signal between the individual cells. The formation of the fruiting body has some similarities to differentiation in multicellular organisms, but the mechanisms are still under study. Some biologists object to the classification of {Dictyostelium} as a slime mold, as it is neither a mold nor slimy. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • slime mould — noun a naked mass of protoplasm having characteristics of both plants and animals; sometimes classified as protoctists • Syn: ↑slime mold • Hypernyms: ↑fungus • Hyponyms: ↑true slime mold, ↑acellular slime mold, ↑plasmodial …   Useful english dictionary

  • slime mould — noun a simple organism that consists of creeping jelly like protoplasm containing nuclei, or a mass of amoeboid cells. [Division Myxomycota or (regarded as a protist) phylum Gymnomyxa.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • slime mould — /ˈslaɪm moʊld/ (say sluym mohld) noun a group of primitive organisms, presenting as a protoplasmic mass, having a motile amoeboid stage and a non motile spore producing stage, thus showing characteristics of both the animal and plant kingdoms …  

  • slime mold — slime mold, slime mould slime mould . 1. An unusual fungus like protist of the phylum Myxomycota or the class Myxomycetes, having a stage of growth in which it comprises a naked noncellular multinucleate mass of creeping protoplasm having… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Slime — may refer to:* Slime ( You Can t Do That on Television ), a regular feature of several of Nickelodeon s television shows * Gunge, a British colloquial name for a runny substance similar to paint, that is often featured in game shows * Slime (toy) …   Wikipedia

  • Slime mold — Not to be confused with slime bacteria. Slime mold Stemonitis fusca in Scotland, UK …   Wikipedia

  • slime — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ thick ▪ primeval, primordial ▪ the primeval slime from which all life developed ▪ pond ▪ black …   Collocations dictionary

  • slime mold — noun a naked mass of protoplasm having characteristics of both plants and animals; sometimes classified as protoctists • Syn: ↑slime mould • Hypernyms: ↑fungus • Hyponyms: ↑true slime mold, ↑acellular slime mold, ↑plasmodi …   Useful english dictionary

  • slime fungus — noun see slime mold * * * slime fungus or slime mould noun A myxomycete • • • Main Entry: ↑slime * * * slime mold or slime fungus, any one of a group of primitive organisms consisting of a thin mass of naked protoplasm and occurring in slimy mas …   Useful english dictionary

  • slime — n. & v. n. thick slippery mud or a substance of similar consistency, e.g. liquid bitumen or a mucus exuded by fish etc. v.tr. cover with slime. Phrases and idioms: slime mould a spore bearing micro organism secreting slime. Etymology: OE slim f.… …   Useful english dictionary

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