# Slime Talk (DD-336)

> 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.

- Department: Nature (also Science)
- First published: 2024-10-02
- Last updated: 2024-10-02
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/slime-talk/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-336-F01**: Slime molds are not fungi. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Not fungi))_
- **DD-336-F02**: Some cells gather into a mass. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Aggregation))_

## 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. **Not fungi**: Slime molds are not fungi.
2. **Aggregation**: Some cells gather into a mass.
3. **Giant cell**: Physarum is one giant cell.
4. **Maze**: Physarum solved a maze in 2000.
5. **Food**: They eat microbes.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says slime molds sit between fungi and animals; they are classified apart from both, mostly among amoeba-like organisms.

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

- Duration: 22.9 s · Published: 2024-10-02
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DAooeQbJXM3.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Do slime molds have brains?**  
A: Brainless. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Not fungi) · Wikipedia: Slime mold)_

**Q: What did Physarum solve in 2000?**  
A: Shortest path. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Aggregation) · Wikipedia: Slime mold)_

**Q: Are slime molds fungi?**  
A: Separate group. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Giant cell) · Wikipedia: Physarum polycephalum)_

**Q: What are false feet called?**  
A: Used to move. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Maze) · Wikipedia: Physarum polycephalum)_

**Q: What do they eat?**  
A: Decomposers. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Food) · Wikipedia: Slime mold)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Slime mold](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slime_mold)
- [Wikipedia: Physarum polycephalum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physarum_polycephalum)

## 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/