Kingdom Protista forms link with others dealing with plants, animals and fungi. Which of the following feature justify their linkage with fungi ?

Options

A. Plasmodium without cell wall
B. Spores with chitinous wall
C. Predation on smaller organisms
D. Formation of fruiting bodies

Answer

To solve the question regarding the features that justify the linkage between Kingdom Protista and fungi, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Characteristics of Kingdom Protista**:
- Kingdom Protista primarily consists of unicellular eukaryotes. This means they are single-celled organisms with a well-defined nucleus and some membrane-bound organelles.

2. **Identify the Link Between Protista and Fungi**:
- One of the examples of protista that shows a connection to fungi is slime molds. These organisms exhibit characteristics that are similar to fungi.

3. **Examine the Feeding Habits of Slime Molds**:
- Slime molds are saprophytic, meaning they feed on dead and decaying organic matter, similar to how fungi obtain nutrients.

4. **Analyze the Reproductive Structures**:
- In unfavorable conditions, slime molds can aggregate to form structures known as plasmodium. This plasmodium can differentiate into fruiting bodies when conditions improve.

5. **Relate Fruiting Bodies to Fungi**:
- The fruiting bodies of slime molds bear spores at their tips. This is significant because fungi also reproduce via spores, which are produced in their fruiting bodies.

6. **Evaluate the Given Options**:
- The options provided include:
- Plasmodium without cell wall
- Spores with chitinous wall
- Predation on smaller organisms
- Formation of fruiting bodies
- Among these, the formation of fruiting bodies is the most relevant feature that links protista (specifically slime molds) to fungi.

7. **Conclude the Correct Answer**:
- The correct answer is **formation of fruiting bodies**, as this feature illustrates the reproductive similarity between slime molds in Protista and fungi.