DICTYOSTELID Meaning and
Definition
-
Dictyostelid is an adjective that refers to a group of cellular slime molds or social amoebas belonging to the taxonomic order Dictyosteliales. These organisms exhibit a unique phenomenon known as "dictyosteloid development." Dictyostelids are commonly found in soil and decaying organic matter, and are characterized by their ability to undergo a remarkable switch in behavior from individualism to social organization.
During favorable conditions, dictyostelids live individually as single-celled amoebas, feeding on bacteria and other microbes in their surroundings. However, when resources become limited or environmental conditions become unfavorable, these amoebas aggregate together to form a multicellular structure called a "slug." Each slug is comprised of thousands of individual cells that work together in a highly coordinated manner, moving towards more suitable environments through a process called "phototaxis."
Once the slug has reached an appropriate location, it undergoes a further series of developmental changes, culminating in the formation of a fruiting body. The fruiting body consists of a stalk composed of dead cells and a spore-filled structure resting at the top. These spores are eventually dispersed, and upon landing in a suitable environment, germinate to produce new individual amoebas, thereby completing the life cycle of the dictyostelid.
Dictyostelids have attracted considerable attention from scientists due to their unique abilities and complex behaviors. Their study serves as a valuable model for understanding various aspects of developmental biology, including cell differentiation, pattern formation, and collective behavior in an organism.
Etymology of DICTYOSTELID
The word "dictyostelid" derives from two components: "dictyo-" and "-stelid".
The prefix "dictyo-" comes from the Greek word "diktyon", meaning "net" or "network". It refers to the unique net-like structure formed by the cells of the organisms belonging to the Dictyostelid group.
The suffix "-stelid" is a scientific term used to describe certain types of organisms. It is derived from another Greek word, "stelis", meaning "pillar" or "column". In taxonomic terminology, "-stelid" is often used to designate fungi or other similar groups.
Therefore, the term "dictyostelid" describes organisms that form a cellular network structure (dictyo-) and belong to a certain taxonomic group (-stelid).
