Page 22 - Kingdom Protist

Funguslike Protists PART 4

Fungi-like protists are not included in the Fungi kingdom (mushrooms)

because their body structure and reproduction method is different from the Fungi
group. For example, slime molds which are members of Protists are similar to fungi in
that they have a cell membrane structure similar to that of Algae, while their

reproduction is similar to that of fungi. Meanwhile, the movement in the vegetative
phase is similar to that of Amoeba.

Fungi-like protists are not included in the
Mushroom-like Protists Fungi kingdom (mushrooms) because their body
Fungal-like protists that have structure and reproduction method is different
the following characteristics. from the Fungi group. For example, slime molds
1. Are eukaryotic. which are members of Protists are similar to

2. Does not have chlorophyll. fungi in that they have a cell membrane
3. Can produce spores. structure similar to that of Algae, while their
4. Are heterotrophs. reproduction is similar to that of fungi.
Meanwhile, the movement in the vegetative
phase is similar to that of Amoeba.

As you can imagine, funguslike protists are protists that have some
characteristics of fungi. Fungi and slime molds use spores to reproduce. Slime molds,
like fungi, feed on decaying organic matter and absorb nutrients through their cell

walls. However, fungi and slime mold differ in the composition of their cell walls. Fungi
cell walls are composed of a substance called chitin. Chitin is a complex carbohydrate
that is found in the cell walls of fungi, and in the external skeletons of insects, crabs,
and centipedes. The cell walls of funguslike protists do not contain chitin as a true
fungus does. The cell walls of these protists contain cellulose or celluloselike
compounds. Slime molds are found in a variety of colors, ranging from yellows and
oranges to blue, black, and red as shown in Figure 4.1 They usually are found in damp,
shady places where decaying organic matter is located, such as on a pile of decaying
leaves or on rotting logs. Slime molds are divided into two groups—acellular slime
molds and cellular slime molds.

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