A scientist collects a protist from a rotting log. He grows the protist in a petri dish that contains Escherichia coli bacteria; the protist engulfs the bacteria. For a while the protist multiplies as single cells. When the E. coli are all consumed, the protists aggregate to form a clump that rises up to become a stalked structure with a globular head. What kind of protist does the scientist have?
A) a plasmodial slime mold
B) a cellular slime mold
C) a free-living amoeba
D) a water mold

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of E. coli as a food source and the aggregation to form a stalked structure with a globular head are characteristic of cellular slime molds. Plasmodial slime molds do not form stalks and water molds typically live in aquatic environments. Free-living amoebas are not known to form multicellular structures.

A Scientist Collects a Protist from a Rotting Log