Acrasins are a class of these compounds that trigger an aggregation response to form a single-cell plasmodium. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name these compounds. When attacked by predators, insects may release one of these chemical signals to alarm others to the threat.
ANSWER: pheromones [accept aggregation pheromones; accept alarm pheromones; reject “hormones”]
[10h] Acrasins are pheromones used by the “cellular” type of these amoeboid (“uh-MEE-boid”) organisms. When placed in a maze with a food source, these organisms find the shortest path by using their network of pseudopods.
ANSWER: slime molds [accept cellular slime molds or dictyostelids or Dictyostelia or Dictyosteliomycetes; accept P. polycephalum or Physarum polycephalum; reject “molds” or “water molds”]
[10e] Despite their name, slime molds do [emphasize] not belong to this taxonomical kingdom under which most other molds are classified. This kingdom also contains yeasts and mushrooms.
ANSWER: Fungi [or funguses]
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