Physarum polycephalum
Introduction
Physarum polycephalum is a species of acellular slime molds, or myxomycetes. Despite having a similar name to fungi, these organisms are protists. They are most commonly found in soil, moist vegetation, and the forest floor where it is cool, damp, and dark, where they contribute to the decomposition of dead vegetation. P. polycephalum have very diverse forms of life in a single cycle, as they can range from being a microscopic single-celled amoeba, a multinucleated cell, or plasmodium, that can span several feet, morphing into a hardened mass known as a sclerotium, or forming small, delicate fruiting bodies that produce haploid spores.
P. polycephalum is a model organism
Life Cycle
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Behavioral Characteristics
Optimal Foraging
Cytoplasmic Streaming
Conclusion
Physarum polycephalum appear to exhibit communication and intelligence, unlike most organisms.
References
- ↑ Hodgkin, J. and Partridge, F.A. "Caenorhabditis elegans meets microsporidia: the nematode killers from Paris." 2008. PLoS Biology 6:2634-2637.
- ↑ Bartlett et al.: Oncolytic viruses as therapeutic cancer vaccines. Molecular Cancer 2013 12:103.
- ↑ Lee G, Low RI, Amsterdam EA, Demaria AN, Huber PW, Mason DT. Hemodynamic effects of morphine and nalbuphine in acute myocardial infarction. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1981 May;29(5):576-81.
Edited by Freya Beinart, student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2020, Kenyon College.