DICTYOSTELIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Dictyostelium is a genus of microscopic eukaryotic organisms belonging to the phylum Amoebozoa. These organisms are commonly known as slime molds due to their slimy, amorphous appearance. Dictyostelium species are found in soil and decaying organic matter, and are also known to inhabit freshwater environments.
Dictyostelium organisms display a unique life cycle that involves both solitary and social phases. In their solitary phase, individual cells of Dictyostelium live independently, feeding on bacteria and other microorganisms. However, when environmental conditions become unfavorable or food sources deplete, Dictyostelium cells undergo a remarkable transformation.
During this social phase, Dictyostelium cells aggregate together to form multicellular structures known as fruiting bodies. These structures consist of a stalk and a spore mass at the top. The stalk acts as a support, elevating the spore mass and allowing for dispersal of spores when the conditions improve. This collective behavior of Dictyostelium cells is of significant interest to researchers studying social evolution and cell biology.
Dictyostelium has been widely studied as a model organism due to its numerous advantages for laboratory research. Its genetic tractability, short life cycle, and simple structure make it an ideal system for studying various biological processes, including cell differentiation, development, chemotaxis, and cell signaling. Dictyostelium also serves as a valuable tool for investigating cellular processes related to human diseases, including infection, immune responses, and cancer progression.
Common Misspellings for DICTYOSTELIUM
- sictyostelium
- xictyostelium
- cictyostelium
- fictyostelium
- rictyostelium
- eictyostelium
- ductyostelium
- djctyostelium
- dkctyostelium
- doctyostelium
- d9ctyostelium
- d8ctyostelium
- dixtyostelium
- divtyostelium
- diftyostelium
- didtyostelium
- dicryostelium
- dicfyostelium
- dicgyostelium
- dicyyostelium
Etymology of DICTYOSTELIUM
The word "Dictyostelium" is a combination of two Greek words. "Dictyo" comes from the Greek root "dictys", meaning net or network. "Stelium" comes from the Greek word "stēlē", meaning pillar or stem. The name "Dictyostelium" refers to the characteristic network-like structure that the cells of this group of slime molds form when they aggregate together during certain stages of their life cycle.
Similar spelling word for DICTYOSTELIUM
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