Group 7

Ngo, Ricky Justin N.

Exercise 3

The Acellular Slime Molds Division Myxomycota

1. Based on your observations, indicate the features that qualify the myxomycetes as plants
and as animals.
The myxomycetes or more commonly known as slime molds are animals since they start
their living cycle as free ranging single-cell amoebas that feed on bacteria. Physiologically,
acellular, creeping, phase of the slime moulds is definitely animal-like. However, the
reproductive structures are plantlike, producing spores covered by definite walls. it
was countered by botanists that these amoeba coverage formed a non-motile, spore-
bearing bearing being. Thus, they should be considered as plants.
2. Briefly describe how the multinucleate condition of the plasmodium is arrived at.
When swarm cells and myxamoebae are formed, sexual reproduction will occur & these
vegetative stages will function as gametes. Gametes that are derived from a common
myxamoeba are self-sterile. In order for syngamy or the fusion of nuclei to occur, gametes
that are derived from a different population of myxamoebae are required before syngamy
can take place. Once compatible mating strains come into contact with one another,
syngamy will occur to form the zygote. This zygote then undergoes numerous mitotic
divisions to form the multinucleate plasmodium.
3. Why is the rhythmic streaming of plasmodium protoplast comparable to the contraction and
relaxation of animal or human muscle?
4. Of what adaptive value to the myxomycetes is regulated dispersal of spores?
Regulated spore dispersal in myxomycetes
5. Speculate on the possible role of myxomycetes in nature.
In nature, myxomycetes do very minor damage to living plants so they cannot be truly
classified as parasites nor can they be accurately described as saprophytes for they feed
on living bacteria and on fungal sporophores, spores, and mycelium as well as bits of
non-living organic matter.
6. Of what type is the life cycle of myxomycetes?
Haplontic life cycle..
 Exercise 4

The Oosporic Fungi- Division Oomycota

1. Explain why the oomycotans are placed in Protista or Chromista

Oomycotans are placed in Protista because of its general morphology and lifestyle. It
absorbs their food from surrounding water or soil, or may invade the body of another
organism to feed. The ultrastructure, biochemistry, and molecular sequences of Oomycota
indicate that they belong with the Chromista. The free-swimming spores of these organisms
indicate that they bear a flagella; this feature is common in chromists.
2. What advantages and disadvantages to a fungus is the production of only conidia or
zoosporangia?
Conidium (pl. conidia) are asexually produced spores produced on conidiophores. The
advantages of producing of only conidia or zoosporangia is when the environment is
favourable. It would be advantageous to reproduce asexually since the environment bwould
be ideal for clones (conidia) of that individuals. However, if the environment should
suddenly become unfavourable, the disadvantage of having only the production of only
conidia will be that all of the individuals will equally likely to die.
3. Sequence Peronosclarospora, Pythium, Achlya, Dictyuchus, Aphanomyces and Albugo to
exemplify the trend in Oomycota from dimorphism-diplanetism to dimorphism-
monoplanetism, to aplanetism and formation of asexual aplanospores.

4. Based on your readings, name at least 5 oomycotans whose tahllus is transformed wholly to
one or more reproductive bodies.
Physoderma spp.
Coelomomyces spp.
Blastocladiella
Allomyces
5. Features of which algae most closely resemble those of oomycotans
Protists
 Exercise 5

1.

2. Heterothallism is having male and female reproductive organs on different thalli.

3.

4.
 Exercise 8

1.

2. Lichens are important in soil formation. . The abundant and diverse lichen acids that lichens secrete in
their metabolic activities have an important impact on the weathering and decomposing process of rock
substrates. They make the transformation of rock into sand grains at a faster rate.

3. Lichens are bioindicatiors of pollution because they derive their water and essential nutrients
mainly from the atmosphere rather than from the soil.
 Exercise 7

1. Heterokaryosis is the fusion of the cytoplasm of cells from different strains without the
fusion of their nuclei.