Why does slime mold grow

Before we promote the slime mold to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy , we need to understand its unique qualifications. In the picture below, you can see a slime mold growing on the rotting trunk of a tree. Slime molds are not actually molds. Slime molds can exist as free-floating single cells. But when two or more slime mold cells meet, they dissolve the cell membranes that separate each individual and fuse together in one membrane.

That means two individuals, with individual genetics, can exist within the same body. Each cell of the slime mold is making decisions that ultimately benefit the whole collective. It sounds simple, but through this process, slime molds can solve an impressively complex array of problems. When scientists model metropolitan areas in this manner, with the food representing centers of dense populations, slime mold can somewhat accurately recreate maps — like this map of the Tokyo rail system.

It took human engineers years to map out the system. It took slime mold just a few hours. They also seem to teach one another. If scientists take one piece of slime mold that has solved a maze and add it to another, that second slime mold will finish the maze faster.

And remember: They do this all without a brain, without a single neuron. The slime mold holds office hours, and the Hampshire students who work in the lab are its research assistants yes, they are ones assisting the slime mold. Generally, the humans and slime mold are working well together.

But there have been a few awkward moments. You can remove slime molds from lawns by mowing and collecting the clippings, poling with a switch of bamboo, or pulling a garden hose across the affected area. You can raise slime molds.

Different types of decaying wood and forest debris can be collected and kept in a humid place or box; the different types of slime molds growing from them can be used for many experiments.

The sporangia can be collected and stored in a refrigerator for later use. You can grow slime molds in petri plates or storage containers that hold moisture. Place a moistened not wet , heavy piece of porous paper filter paper in the container. Place a piece of sporangium on the moistened paper and close the top.

You will need to check the chamber every day and moisten it if needed with drops of water. You will see the hatched and active plasmodia. Then, add premoistened rolled oats to the surface of the paper in the pattern you wish. If you do not feed your plasmodia, they may form the resting sclerotium, which you can save.

Slime molds are extremely efficient in their movements——so much so that they can be used to design efficient transportation networks and computers. For instance, scientists placed food in a way to mimic the population centers of the cities that surround Tokyo.

Computer scientists are using slime molds to model the shape of a polygon linking points on a surface Adamatzky et al. These calculations are necessary for computer games. Slime molds that have been taught this trick pass it on to their progeny Vogel and Dussutour, ! Routing Physarum with repellents. Adamatzky et al. Slime mould computes planar shapes.

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Slime molds have been more prevalent in landscape situations during the past 5 years and this appears to be associated with the weather and the increased popularity and use of wood mulches.

Strategies for Control: Since slime molds are not pathogenic to plants and are considered curiosities and nuisances, pro-active control is not necessary. However, these fungi can be quite unsightly so removal of the structures is often the preferred way of dealing with them.

When slime molds develop on mulch, the structures can be removed with a shovel or disturbed by raking. When they grow on plants and turf, slime molds can be removed with a forceful spray of water from a hose. On turf, slime molds can also be effectively removed by mowing. However, if left alone, slime molds will eventually dry up, turn powdery, and disappear.

Slime molds are highly conspicuous fungi that often seem to "magically" appear on mulch, plants, and turf overnight and are easily recognized by their brightly colored structures.