Fungus-like protists are heterotrophs with cell walls. They also reproduce by forming spores. All fungus-like protists are able to move at some point in their lives. There are essentially three types of fungus-like protists: water molds, downy mildews, and slime molds.
Water Molds: This fungus-like substance thrives on dead and decaying organic matter in the water. Some are plant parasites on land. Its cell walls are made of cellulose and produce spores. They reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction involves hyphae (thin filaments) which develop into zoosporangia (spore cases). Flagellated spores swim away in search of food. Spores develop into hyphae when they find food and grow into a new organism. Sexual reproduction takes place in specialized structures that are formed by hyphae.
Downy Mildews: This fungus-like protists which must absorb their food from the surrounding water or soil, or may invade the body of another organism to feed. They produce large non-motile gametes called eggs, and smaller gametes called sperm.
Slime Molds: Fungus-like protists that recycle organic material and they are found on forest floors, at one stage in their life cycle, they resemble amoebas and in the other stage, they form mold-like clumps that produce spores. They are phagotrophic heterotrophs and their mode of nutrition is by engulfing dead plant material and bacteria.
Water Molds: This fungus-like substance thrives on dead and decaying organic matter in the water. Some are plant parasites on land. Its cell walls are made of cellulose and produce spores. They reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction involves hyphae (thin filaments) which develop into zoosporangia (spore cases). Flagellated spores swim away in search of food. Spores develop into hyphae when they find food and grow into a new organism. Sexual reproduction takes place in specialized structures that are formed by hyphae.
Downy Mildews: This fungus-like protists which must absorb their food from the surrounding water or soil, or may invade the body of another organism to feed. They produce large non-motile gametes called eggs, and smaller gametes called sperm.
Slime Molds: Fungus-like protists that recycle organic material and they are found on forest floors, at one stage in their life cycle, they resemble amoebas and in the other stage, they form mold-like clumps that produce spores. They are phagotrophic heterotrophs and their mode of nutrition is by engulfing dead plant material and bacteria.