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Slime Talk

Short answer: Slime molds are neither fungi nor animals; most are amoeba-like organisms. Some live as single cells that gather into a multicellular mass when food runs short, while others, such as Physarum polycephalum, grow as one giant cell with many nuclei.

In a 2000 experiment, Toshiyuki Nakagaki and colleagues showed that Physarum could find the shortest route through a maze to food. The footage, credited to the BBC, shows yellow slime molds spreading.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Slime Talk?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Slime molds are not fungi.

    DD-336-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Not fungi)

  2. Some cells gather into a mass.

    DD-336-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Aggregation)

Video transcript: Slime Talk: A Slime Mold Has No Brain, yet It Can Find the Shortest Path Through a Maze

Did you know, slime molds are incredible organisms that challenge the boundaries between fungi and animals. They typically exist as single cells, but when food is scarce, these cells aggregate into a multicellular mass. Despite lacking a brain, slime molds can solve complex problems, like navigating mazes or finding the shortest path to food. They move by extending pseudopods, or false feet, and feed on decaying matter and microorganisms. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 22.9s Reel ·

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Slime Talk: A Slime Mold Has No Brain, yet It Can Find the Shortest Path Through a Maze Instagram Reel · · 22.9s

The write-up

A slime mold has no brain, yet it can find the shortest path through a maze. It feeds on microbes and decaying matter.

  1. Exhibit A

    Not fungi

    Slime molds are not fungi.

  2. Exhibit B

    Aggregation

    Some cells gather into a mass.

  3. Exhibit C

    Giant cell

    Physarum is one giant cell.

  4. Exhibit D

    Maze

    Physarum solved a maze in 2000.

  5. Exhibit E

    Food

    They eat microbes.

Questions people ask about Slime Talk

Do slime molds have brains?

Brainless.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Not fungi) · Wikipedia: Slime mold

What did Physarum solve in 2000?

Shortest path.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Aggregation) · Wikipedia: Slime mold

Are slime molds fungi?

Separate group.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Giant cell) · Wikipedia: Physarum polycephalum

What are false feet called?

Used to move.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Maze) · Wikipedia: Physarum polycephalum

What do they eat?

Decomposers.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Food) · Wikipedia: Slime mold

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Do slime molds have brains?

    1. No
    2. Yes
    3. Two
    4. Only adults
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. No Brainless. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Not fungi) · Wikipedia: Slime mold

  2. What did Physarum solve in 2000?

    1. A maze
    2. A crossword
    3. A math proof
    4. A puzzle box
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A maze Shortest path. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Aggregation) · Wikipedia: Slime mold

  3. Are slime molds fungi?

    1. No
    2. Yes
    3. Only some
    4. Only in winter
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. No Separate group. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Giant cell) · Wikipedia: Physarum polycephalum

  4. What are false feet called?

    1. Pseudopods
    2. Cilia
    3. Tentacles
    4. Roots
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Pseudopods Used to move. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Maze) · Wikipedia: Physarum polycephalum

  5. What do they eat?

    1. Microbes and decaying matter
    2. Rocks
    3. Sunlight only
    4. Metal
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Microbes and decaying matter Decomposers. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Food) · Wikipedia: Slime mold

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Slime Talk." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-336, last updated Oct 2, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/slime-talk/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/slime-talk/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-336-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/slime-talk/#DD-336-F01