Slime Mold Claymation

Slime mold is an excellent illustration of the benefits of grouping together. When dealing with social evolution not much thought is dedicated to a time before there were groups, tribes, families. To think of humans without a pack instinct is to think of nothing, because humans would not have survived without a family. The curious thing about slime mold is that it evolved to produce chemical signals in order to form a group.
Myxamoebae cells are individual cells, we could call them opportunist groupers. When food is scare (they consume bacteria and yeast) myxamoebae cells start emitting a signal to start the gathering. As the number of cells in the group grows, the stronger the signal gets, attracting more and more myxamoebae.
Slime molds start emitting another signal to stop the attraction of more cells. This happens when the number of myxamoebae reaches approximately 2,000.
Together the impressive myxamoebae cells form a slug. This slug permits much more movement than any individual cell possessed. As the slug goes in search of food the cells that it is composed of differentiate. Some become the spore stalk and others become the spore sack, both being vital to the reproduction of myxamoebae cells.
When the slug finds its destination the cells begin to form what looks like a sprout. It begins as a small tip coming out of the base, but as it grows the spore sack becomes more obvious. When the time is right the spores are released- each to become an individual cell and repeat the cycle over again.
The trait that causes myxamoebaes to use one another has been immensely beneficial in reproduction and in search for food. The same is true in humans. The part of us that craves companionship and family has been necessary to our survival.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• slime
• mold
• science
• biology
• Raleigh
• Progressive
• School
• RPS

[jakeeemyman]

@vellinn thank you! it's awesome funky stuff, no?

[vellinn]

great video :)

[jakeeemyman]

there is evolution in everything!!!