Revisiting “A Practical Guide to the Use of Cellular Slime Molds for Laboratory Exercises and Experiments”

 

Donna M. Bozzone

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2004, Volume 25

Abstract

Microbial eukaryotes in general, and cellular slime molds in particular, are well-suited for laboratory instruction in a variety of areas, including cellular biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, and population biology, and for a range of educational levels, such as introductory courses, upper-division courses, and independent student research projects. This chapter details methods for the culturing and care of cellular slime molds, as well as instructions for several experiments and explorations including an examination of the life cycle, how cells choose a developmental pathway, food preferences and interspecific interactions, chemotaxis, phototaxis, pattern formation, and cell recognition.

Keywords:  Dictyostelium discoideum, fruiting body, amoeba, slug, macrocyst, microbial eukaryote, Polyspondylium

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2003)