MCQs on Slime Moulds with Answers and Explanations for Exams
Slime Moulds are unicellular saprophyte. They are often present as an aggregate called plasmodium, which is a multinucleated stage. They have characteristics of both fungi and animals. They are kept in the kingdom Protista.
1. Slime Moulds were a Part of Which of the Following Kingdoms?
(a) Monera
(b) Protista
(c) Fungi
(d) Plantae
Ans: Protista
2. Characteristic Structure Found in Slime Mould is
(a) pseudoelaters
(b) elaters
(c) capitulum
(d) capillitium
Ans: elaters
3. In a Cellular Slime Mould, Spore Formation Takes Place in
(a) plasmodium
(b) sporangium
(c) sporophore
(d) pseudoplasmodium
Ans: sporangium
4. Spores of Slime Moulds Develop into
(a) Amoeboid cells
(b) biflagellated cells
(c) swarm cells
(d) All of the above
Ans: All of the above
5. Which is the Example of Slime Mould?
(a) Anabaena
(b) Rhizopus
(c) Physarum
(d) Thiobacillus
Ans: Physarum
6. Slime Moulds, Algae, Protozoa are Related to Each Other in Having
(a) eukaryotic cell
(b) prokaryotic cell
(c) flagella
(d) pseudopodia
Ans: eukaryotic cell
7. A Feature that Categorizes a “True Slime Mould” is
(a) occurs as an independent cell
(b) a multinucleate plasmodial stage
(c) secretes mucoidal exudate
(d) None of the above
Ans: a multinucleate plasmodial stage
8. Slug Formation is Induced By
(a) overcrowding
(b) plentiful resources
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) unfavourable conditions
Ans: unfavourable conditions
9. Slime Mould Differ from Fungi in Having
(a) phagocytosis mode of nutrition
(b) amoeboid cells
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none
Ans: both (a) and (b)
10. Sporangia of Slime Mould Contain
(a) haploid spores
(b) diploid zygotes
(c) gametes
(d) none
Ans: haploid spores
FAQs on Slime Moulds Multiple Choice Questions with Answers
1. What are slime moulds in biology?
Slime moulds are fungus-like protists that exhibit both amoeboid and spore-forming characteristics. They are classified under the kingdom Protista and typically feed on decaying organic matter. Key features include:
- Vegetative phase resembling amoeba
- Formation of sporangia during reproduction
- Presence of a multinucleate mass called plasmodium (in some types)
2. Are slime moulds fungi or protists?
Slime moulds are classified as protists, not true fungi. Although they produce spores like fungi, they differ because:
- Their vegetative stage is amoeboid and motile
- They lack a true chitinous cell wall in the feeding stage
- They ingest food by phagocytosis
3. What is a plasmodium in slime moulds?
A plasmodium is a multinucleate, cytoplasmic mass formed during the vegetative stage of certain slime moulds. It is characterized by:
- Repeated nuclear divisions without cytokinesis
- Absence of cell walls between nuclei
- Ability to move and engulf food particles
4. What are the main types of slime moulds?
The two main types of slime moulds are plasmodial slime moulds and cellular slime moulds. They differ as follows:
- Plasmodial slime moulds: Form a single multinucleate plasmodium (e.g., Physarum)
- Cellular slime moulds: Exist as individual cells that aggregate during reproduction (e.g., Dictyostelium)
5. How do slime moulds reproduce?
Slime moulds reproduce mainly by forming spores inside sporangia. The process includes:
- Formation of sporangium under unfavorable conditions
- Production of resistant haploid spores
- Germination of spores into amoeboid or flagellated cells
6. What is the difference between plasmodial and cellular slime moulds?
The main difference is that plasmodial slime moulds form a multinucleate mass, while cellular slime moulds aggregate as separate cells. Key distinctions include:
- Plasmodial slime moulds: Single large coenocytic plasmodium
- Cellular slime moulds: Individual amoebae that aggregate to form a pseudoplasmodium
- Examples: Physarum (plasmodial), Dictyostelium (cellular)
7. Where are slime moulds commonly found?
Slime moulds are commonly found in moist, shady environments rich in decaying organic matter. Typical habitats include:
- Forest floors
- Rotting wood
- Leaf litter
- Humus-rich soil
8. What do slime moulds feed on?
Slime moulds feed primarily on bacteria, fungi, and decaying organic matter. They obtain nutrition by:
- Engulfing food particles through phagocytosis
- Absorbing dissolved nutrients
9. Why are slime moulds considered unique organisms?
Slime moulds are unique because they show characteristics of both protozoans and fungi. Their uniqueness includes:
- Amoeboid, motile vegetative stage
- Formation of sporangia and spores like fungi
- Ability to aggregate and show primitive multicellularity (in Dictyostelium)
10. What is an example of a slime mould commonly asked in exams?
Common examples of slime moulds asked in exams are Physarum and Dictyostelium.
- Physarum: A plasmodial slime mould forming a large multinucleate mass
- Dictyostelium: A cellular slime mould known as the social amoeba
