Which of the following combinations of characters is true for slime moulds?

Options

A. Parasitic, plasmodium without walls, spores dispersed by air currents
B. Saprophytic, plasmodium with walls, spores dispersed by water
C. Parasitic, plasmodium without walls, spores dispersed by water
D. Saprophytic, plasmodium without walls, spores dispersed by air currents.

Answer

D

Explanation

Slime moulds are saprophytic protists having plasmodium as a free-living thalloid body. Plasmodium is wall less mass of multinucleate protoplasm covered by slime. During unfavourable conditions, the plasmodium differentiates and forms fruiting bodies bearing spores at their tips. These spores are dispersed by air currents.