Slime Mould: The Mysterious Organism

Introduction

• Slime moulds are intriguing organisms found in forests.
• They are not classified as plants, animals, or fungi; rather, they are giant single cells.
• Scientists find it challenging to define them due to their unique characteristics.

Characteristics of Slime Moulds

• Shape-shifting Ability:
  • Slime moulds can change shape and move at approximately 1 cm per hour.
  • Their appearance can vary, making identification difficult without direct observation.
• Feeding:
  • Ian Hands Portman from the University of Warwick studies wild slime moulds.
  • Slime moulds feed on bacteria and can be kept in captivity on porridge oats.
• Digestive Process:
  • They do not have a mouth or stomach; they absorb nutrients by breaking down proteins and carbohydrates from their food.

Movement and Navigation

• Slime moulds move through a pulsing motion, extending their tendrils towards food sources.
• They can detect and respond to their environment, moving away from unfavorable conditions.
• Research Methodology:
  • High-powered microscopes allow scientists to observe the complex movements and interactions of slime moulds.
  • They taste their surroundings and communicate information back to the main body.

Experiment with Route Finding

• An experiment was conducted to test whether slime moulds could find efficient routes between cities.
• Setup:
  • Oat flakes were placed in major cities on a map of Britain, with a slime mould positioned in central London.
  • Time-lapse cameras recorded the slime's progress over several days.
• Findings:
  • The slime mould successfully covered Britain in two days, effectively finding routes to the oat flakes.
  • It created a network that closely resembles the UK's road system.

Conclusion

• Slime moulds exhibit remarkable problem-solving abilities, building efficient networks without central control.
• Despite their capabilities, there is still much to learn about slime moulds and their behaviors.