Most phases of the life cycles of plasmodial slime moulds are

Options

A. haploid
B. diploid
C. both (1) & (2)
D. polyploid

Answer

To answer the question regarding the life cycles of plasmodial slime molds, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Plasmodial Slime Molds**:
- Plasmodial slime molds belong to the group of protists and are known for their unique life cycle which includes both haploid and diploid phases.

2. **Identifying the Main Structures**:
- The main body of plasmodial slime molds is called a plasmodium. This structure is multi-nucleate and is crucial for the organism's life cycle.

3. **Life Cycle Phases**:
- The life cycle begins when haploid amoeboid or flagellate gametes fuse together to form a diploid zygote.
- This zygote then develops into a plasmodium, which is a large, multi-nucleate structure.

4. **Determining the Dominant Phase**:
- In plasmodial slime molds, the majority of the life cycle is spent in the diploid phase, particularly in the plasmodium stage.
- The only haploid phase occurs during the formation of gametes before they fuse to form the zygote.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Since most phases of the life cycle of plasmodial slime molds are spent in the diploid state, the correct answer to the question is option 2: diploid.

### Final Answer:
Most phases of the life cycles of plasmodial slime molds are **diploid**.

---