Pretzel Slime Mould is a photograph by Matt Meadows/science Photo Library which was uploaded on September 12th, 2018.
Pretzel Slime Mould
Pretzel slime mould (Hemitrichia serpula) on decaying wood. Slime moulds are not fungi, but a separate group with complex life cycles. They start as... more
Title
Pretzel Slime Mould
Artist
Matt Meadows/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph
Description
Pretzel slime mould (Hemitrichia serpula) on decaying wood. Slime moulds are not fungi, but a separate group with complex life cycles. They start as amoeba cells, which multiply quickly through mitosis. Unlike most organisms that use mitosis, only the nucleus divides and not the cell. This results in a new larger cell called a coenocyte that contains two nuclei. The coenocyte feeds on various micro-organisms and as it grows, the nuclei continue to divide. When food runs out, the slime mould migrates to the outer surface of the log where is transforms into fruiting bodies (sporangia). The cells become spores, which are released and dispersed by the wind.
Uploaded
September 12th, 2018
More from Matt Meadows/science Photo Library
Comments
There are no comments for Pretzel Slime Mould. Click here to post the first comment.