You are here:

Biology/Dictyosetlium Discoideum

Advertisement

Expert: Florence M Rollwagen - 4/7/2009


Question
I'm having a problem trying to figure out if "Dicty" is an organism or a group of cooperating cells? If so, why?

Answer
Hi Dahntrecia:  Thanks for your question.

"Dicty" is classified as a social amoeba.  It is free living, but when starved it forms a reproductive structure called a slug (not a real slug) which can move around.  It also produces a fruiting body that contains spores.  The spores can regenerate to form new amoebae when conditions are right.

Here are some links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictyostelid
http://www.nih.gov/science/models/d_discoideum/


So to answer your question, it's both.

Hope this helps.

FM Rollwagen, PhD

Biology

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Florence M Rollwagen

Expertise

I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.

Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI) American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology

Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966 MS biology 1968 PhD immunology 1979

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.