pseudoplasmodium

many cells acting as one organism

The difference is that plasmodium is the acellularversion of a slime mold, represented by a large ameoba-like structure. This is aquatic and moves slowly. When challenged it forms a verticle fruiting body resistant to drought. On the other hand pseudoplasmodium is the cellular version of a slime mold, represented by individual cells. When challenged these cells signal each other via cyclic AMP and clump together, forming one large mass. Together this mass is called a pseudoplasmodium ("pseudo" meaning false).

Pseudoplasmodium is also known as a slug. A slug is about 2 to 4 mm long and composed of up to one hundred thousand cells.

Pseudoplasmodium is a collection of amoebae that have combined due to a loss of food source. This aggregated of amoebae forms a slug structure with a defined body that is motile and responds to light and temperature. Under specific conditions, this grex can 'sprout' out stalks that create spore like structures to form a protective cellular wall. These spores can turn into individual amoebae when a food supply is replenished.