Saprophytic protists that form plasmodium are

Options

A. Fungi
B. Slime moulds
C. Sporozoans
D. Ciliates

Answer

To answer the question regarding saprophytic protists that form plasmodium, we can break down the information as follows:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Plasmodium**:
- Plasmodium refers to a mass of protoplasm containing many nuclei, which is characteristic of certain organisms. It is important to note that this structure is not unique to all protists but is specific to certain groups.

2. **Identifying the Group**:
- The question specifies "saprophytic protists." Saprophytic organisms feed on dead or decaying organic matter. In the context of protists, this refers to certain types of slime molds.

3. **Characteristics of Slime Molds**:
- Slime molds are a group of protists that can exist in a unicellular form but can aggregate to form a multicellular structure known as plasmodium. This plasmodium is a key feature of slime molds.

4. **Formation of Spores**:
- Under unfavorable conditions, slime molds can produce spores. These spores are released into the environment, allowing the organism to survive until conditions improve.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the saprophytic protists that form plasmodium are specifically slime molds. They are distinct from other groups like fungi, sporozoans, or ciliates.

### Final Answer:
The saprophytic protists that form plasmodium are **slime molds**.