Slime moulds in the division Myxomycota (true slime moulds) have

Options

A. pseudoplasmodia
B. spores that develop into free-living amoeboid cells
C. spores that develop into flagellated gametes
D. feeding stages consisting of solitary individual cells.

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Slime Moulds**: Slime moulds belong to the division Myxomycota, commonly known as true slime moulds. They are unique organisms that exhibit characteristics of both fungi and protozoa.

2. **Life Cycle of Slime Moulds**: The life cycle of slime moulds begins in a diploid state. This means that the initial cells contain two sets of chromosomes.

3. **Mitosis without Karyokinesis**: During their life cycle, slime moulds undergo mitosis, which is the process of cell division. However, karyokinesis (the division of the nucleus) does not occur. As a result, multiple nuclei accumulate within a single cell, leading to a multinucleate structure known as a syncytium.

4. **Formation of Plasmodium**: When environmental conditions become unfavorable (like drying out), the syncytial cell breaks down into smaller units called plasmodia. These plasmodia are the feeding stages of slime moulds.

5. **Development of Fruiting Bodies**: The plasmodia can then develop into fruiting bodies. These structures are responsible for reproduction.

6. **Spores Production**: The fruiting bodies produce haploid spores. These spores are crucial for the life cycle of slime moulds.

7. **Spores Developing into Gametes**: The haploid spores produced from the fruiting bodies develop into flagellated gametes. This is a key characteristic of slime moulds in the Myxomycota division.

8. **Conclusion**: Based on the life cycle and reproductive strategy of slime moulds, the correct answer to the question is that slime moulds in the division Myxomycota have "spores that develop into flagellated gametes."