part of
develops_from
vegetative amoeba
vegetative cell
vegetative cell (sensu Mycetozoa)
Unicellular haploid myxamoeba that feeds on bacteria by phagocytosis and divides by binary fission. The size of vegetative cells range from 12-20 microns by 8-12 microns. The cells exhibit a roughly rounded but rather irregular shape.
amoebae
aggregation territory
Area covered by a group of chemotactic cells converging toward the same aggregation center. Can reach a diameter of up to 1 cm.
loose aggregate
loose mound
First adherent mass of cells observed during development, relatively flat with indistinct borders.
mound
pseudoplasmodium
Hemispherical structure composed of post-aggregative cells that are undergoing differentiation.
tight mound
tight aggrgate
tipped mound
tipped aggregate
Hemispherical structure composed of post-aggregative cells that are undergoing differentiation and that have formed a tip.
standing slug
Cylindrical structure that is formed by elongation of the mound under the control of the tip. The elongating tip is called the first finger.
first finger
finger
migratory slug
grex
When the conditions are not optimal for the completion of development, the standing slug bends from a vertical position to a horizontal position, producing a migratory that slug has the ability to migrate towards more favorable environmental conditions. The slug is cylindrical in shape with a rounded, tapering region at its anterior end that is raised with respect to the substratum. It usually measures between 0.8 to 1.2 mm in length with a diameter of 0.15 to 0.25 mm. Slugs sense and respond to light, temperature and acidity, and do not enter culmination until the conditions are optimal. The slug can move at a speed of 0.5 to 2 mm per hour. A trail of slime is deposited on the surface during migration.
early culminant
culminant
mexican hat
Structure formed after the arrest of slug migration formed when cells of the posterior region of the slug move under the tip. Stalk tube formation is initiated at this stage.
mid culminant
Structure in which stalk tube formation has progressed down the prespore zone. Basal disc formation begins at this stage, with the migration of pstA and pstB cells to the lower part of the culminant to form the basal disc.
late culminant
Structure in which stalk tube formation has progressed down to the basal disc. The sorogen ascents up the stalk to it apical position dring this stage. Terminal differentiation occurs at this stage: death of the stalk cells and encapsulation of the spores.
fruiting body
Dicty asexual organism which is terminally differentiated and consists of a long stalk on top of which sits the sorus that contains spores. The mature fruiting body measures between 1.5 to 3 mm in height.
sorocarp
stream
pseudoplasmodial stream
Macroscopic appearance of groups of chemotactic cells orienting themselves in a head to tail fashion as they are migrating in the direction of the chemotactic stimulus to form aggregates.
surface sheath of the loose aggregate
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins, formed during late aggregation and that holds the cell mass together in the aggregate.
extracellular matrix (ECM)
surface sheath of the mound
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins that holds the cell mass together in the mound.
prestalk region of the tipped mound
pst region of the tipped mound
Elongated protusion of the tipped mound located on top of the cell mass that contains pstA cells flanked by pstO cells (expressing ecmA from the proximal and the distal part of its promoter, respectively).
apical tip of the tipped mound
prespore region of the tipped mound
psp region of the tipped mound
Region of the tipped mound mostly composed of prespore cells. In addition to prespore cells, the prespore region contains anterior-like cells (ALC) that express ecmA and/or ecmB.
surface sheath of the tipped mound
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins that holds the cell mass together in the tipped mound.
prestalk region of the standing slug
pst region of the standing slug
Elongated protusion of the standing slug located on top of the cell mass that contains pstA cells flanked by pstO cells (expressing ecmA from the proximal and the distal part of its promoter, respectively).
tip-organizer of the standing slug
Part of the prestalk region of the standing slug that acts as an organizer, that is, a signalling center that directs the morphological characteristics of the entire organism.
tip of the standing slug
prestalk A region of the standing slug
pstA region of the standing slug
Most apical region of the prestalk zone of the standing slug characterized by high expression of the ecmA gene directed by the proximal part of its promoter (ecmA promoter).
prestalk O region of the standing slug
Area of the prestalk zone of the standing slug located posterior to the prestalk A region and characterized by low expression of the ecmA gene directed by the distal part of its promoter (ecmO promoter).
pstO region of the standing slug
prestalk AB core region of the standing slug
prestalk AB region of the standing slug
pstAB region
Cone-shaped area of the prestalk zone of the standing slug that occupies a core among the pstA region. Cells of the pstAB region express both the ecmA and ecmB genes.
prespore region of the standing slug
psp region of the standing slug
Region of the standing slug mostly composed of prespore cells. In addition to prespore cells, the prespore region contains anterior-like cells (ALC) that express ecmA and/or ecmB. The prespore region occupies about three quarters of the organism.
basal region of the standing slug
base of the standing slug
Region of the standing slug in contact with the substratum and composed of prestalk B cells.
peripheral layer of the standing slug
Outer-most cell layer surrounding the standing slug. The peripheral layer is composed of electron-dense cells that are connected to each other, forming a coherent tissue.
surface sheath of the standing slug
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins that holds the cell mass together in the standing slug.
prestalk region of the migratory slug
pst region of the migratory slug
anterior region of the migratory slug
The prestalk region of the migratory slug is located at the anterior of the organism. It consists of about one quarter of the cells.
tip-organizer of the migratory slug
tip of the migratory slug
Part of the prestalk region of the migratory slug that acts as an organizer, that is, a signalling center that directs the morphological characteristics of the entire organism. The tip guides the moveement of the organism during migration.
prestalk A region of the migratory slug
Anterior-most region of the prestalk zone of the migratory slug and characterized by high expression of the ecmA gene directed by the proximal part of its promoter (ecmA promoter).
pstAO region of the migratory slug
pstA region of the migratory slug
prestalk AO region of the migratory slug
prestalk O region of the migratory slug
pstO region of the migratory slug
Area of the prestalk zone of the migratory slug located posterior to the prestalk A region and characterized by low expression of the ecmA gene directed by the distal part of its promoter (ecmO promoter).
prestalk AB core region of the migratory slug
pstAB region of the migratory slug
prestalk AB region of the migratory slug
Cone-shaped area of the prestalk zone of the migratory slug that occupies a core among the pstA region. Cells of the pstAB region express both the ecmA and ecmB genes.
prespore region of the migratory slug
psp region of the migratory slug
Region of the migratory slug composed mostly of prespore cells. In addition to prespore cells, the prespore region contains anterior-like cells (ALC) that express ecmA and/or ecmB. The prespore region occupies about three quarters of the organism.
posterior region of the migratory slug
rearguard region
Region located at the very posterior of the migratory slug that contains pstB cells (rearguard cells). These cells form the basal disc in the mature fruiting body.
peripheral layer of the migratory slug
Outer-most cell layer surrounding the migratory slug. The peripheral layer is composed of electron-dense cells that are connected to each other, forming a coherent tissue.
surface sheath of the migratory slug
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins that holds the cell mass together in the migratory slug.
prestalk region of the early culminant
pst region of the early culminant
The prestalk region of the early culminant is located at the most apical part of the organism. It consists of about one quarter of the cells.
prestalk A region of the early culminant
pstA region of the early culminant
Anterior-most region of the prestalk zone of the early culminant characterized by high expression of the ecmA gene directed by the proximal part of its promoter (ecmA promoter).
prestalk O region of the early culminant
Area of the prestalk zone of the early culminant located posterior to the pstA region and characterized by low expression of the ecmA gene directed by the distal part of its promoter (ecmO promoter).
pstO region of the early culminant
prestalk AB core region of the early culminant
pstAB region of the early culminant
prestalk AB region of the early culminant
Cone-shaped area of the prestalk zone of the early culminant that occupies a core among the pstA region. Cells of the pstAB region express both the ecmA and ecmB genes.
prespore region of the early culminant
Region of the early culminant mostly composed of prespore cells. In addition to prespore cells, the prespore region contains anterior-like cells (ALC) that express ecmA and/or ecmB. The prespore region occupies about three quarters of the organism.
psp region of the early culminant
upper cup region of the early culminant
prespore/anterior region of the early culminant
Region of the prespore zone of the early culminant that borders the prestalk region. This region gives rise to the upper cup of the fruiting body.
stalk tube of the early culminant
sorophore sheath
Open, cylindrical tube of the early culminant composed of cellulose and glycoprotein and surrounded by a ring of actin in which stalk cells accumulate.
basal region of the early culminant
Region of the early culminant located at the closest to the substratum composed of rearguard cells that originated from ALC/pstB cells. This region eventually gives rise to the outer basal disc and lower cup of the fruiting body.
base of the early culminant
prespore/base region of the early culminant
peripheral layer of the early culminant
Layer surrounding the mexican hat and composed of an electron-dense cell type.
surface sheath of the early culminant
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins that holds the cell mass together in the early culminant.
prestalk region of the mid culminant
pst region of the mid culminant
The prestalk region of the mid culminant is located at the most apical part of the organism. It consists of about one quarter of the cells.
prestalk A region of the mid culminant
Anterior-most region of the prestalk zone of the mid culminant characterized by high expression of the ecmA gene directed by the proximal part of its promoter (ecmA promoter).
pstA region of the mid culminant
prestalk O region of the mid culminant
Area of the prestalk zone of the mid culminant located posterior to the prestalk A region and characterized by low expression of the ecmA gene directed by the distal part of its promoter (ecmO promoter).
pstO region of the mid culminant
prestalk AB core region of the mid culminant
prestalk AB region of the mid culminant
pstAB region of the mid culminant
Cone-shaped area of the prestalk zone of the mid culminant that occupies a core among the pstA region. Cells of the pstAB region express both the ecmA and ecmB genes.
stalk of the mid culminant
Synonym from Kessin book p. 12-13; Kessin book p. 193.
Tubular structure of the mid culminant that consists of cellulose-covered cells stacked on top of each other and surrounded by an acellular stalk tube composed of cellulose and glycoprotein.
sorophore of the mid culminant
stalk tube of the mid culminant
Open, cylindrical tube of the mid culminant composed of cellulose and glycoprotein and surrounded by a ring of actin in which stalk cells accumulate.
prespore region of the mid culminant
psp region of the mid culminant
Region of the mid culminant mostly composed of prespore cells. In addition to prespore cells, the prespore region contains anterior-like cells (ALC) that express ecmA and/or ecmB. The prespore region occupies about three quarters of the organism.
upper cup region of the mid culminant
prespore/anterior region of the mid culminant
Region of the prespore zone of the mid culminant that borders the prestalk region.
lower cup region of the mid culminant
Region of the prespore zone of the mid culminant located just above the base and that is the precursor of the lower cup.
basal disc of the mid culminant
Region located of the mid culminant located closest to the substratum and composed of pst cells (rearguard cells).
peripheral layer of the mid culminant
Layer surrounding the mid culminant and composed of an electron-dense cell type.
stalk of the late culminant
Synonym from Kessin book p. 12-13, Kessin book p. 193.
sorophore of the late culminant
Tubular structure of the late culminant that consists of cellulose-covered cells stacked on top of each other and surrounded by an acellular stalk tube composed of cellulose and glycoprotein.
stalk tube of the late culminant
Open, cylindrical tube of the late culminant composed of cellulose and glycoprotein and surrounded by a ring of actin in which stalk cells accumulate.
sorus of the late culminant
spore head of the late culminant
Ovoid structure of the late culminant supported by the stalk and that contains the spores.
apical disc of the late culminant
Most apical structure of the late culminant. Composed of cells that express the prestalk markers ecmA, ecmB and staB.
upper cup of the late culminant
Region of the late culminant located above the spore mass and composed of anterior-like cells.
lower cup of the late culminant
Region of the sorus of the late culminant located at the base of the sorus and composed of anterior-like cells.
basal disc of the late culminant
Conical-shaped structure of the late culminant that anchors the stalk to the substratum. Composed of anterior-like cells.
inner basal disc of the late culminant
Central portion of the basal disc of the late culminant. Composed of stalk cells.
outer basal disc of the late culminant
Ring of cells at the periphery of the basal disc of the late culminant. Composed of pstB cells (rearguard cells) and other anterior-like cells.
stalk of the fruiting body
sorophore of the fruiting body
Tubular structure of the fruiting body that consists of cellulose-covered cells stacked on top of each other and surrounded by an acellular stalk tube composed of cellulose and glycoprotein. The stalk of the mature fruiting body is usually 5-15 microns in diameter and between 1.5 to 3 cm in height.
stalk tube of the fruiting body
Open, cylindrical tube of the fruiting body composed of cellulose and glycoprotein and surrounded by a ring of actin in which stalk cells accumulate.
sorus of the fruiting body
spore head of the fruiting body
Structure of the fruiting body supported by the stalk and that contains the spores. The sorus is 125-300 microns in diameter, lemon-shaped, and grayish white to pale yellow in color.
apical disc of the fruiting body
Region of the fruiting body located above the spore mass and composed of anterior-like cells.
upper cup of the fruiting body
lower cup of the fruiting body
Region of the fruiting body located at the base of the sorus and composed of anterior-like cells.
basal disc of the fruiting body
Conical-shaped structure of the fruiting body that anchors the stalk to the substratum, around 150 to 400 microns in diameter. Composed of anterior-like cells.
inner basal disc of the fruiting body
Central portion of the basal disc of the fruiting body composed of stalk cells.
outer basal disc of the fruiting body
Ring of cells at the periphery of the basal disc of the fruiting body composed of pstB cells (rearguard cells) and other anterior-like cells.
slime trail
Acellular material from the surface sheath left behind the migratory slug as it moves. Can be up to 2-3 cm in length.
slime track
surface sheath of the mid culminant
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins. Covers the basal disc of the mid culminant.
surface sheath of the late culminant
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins. In the late culminant, covers only the basal disc.
surface sheath of the fruiting body
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins. In the fruiting body, covers only the basal disc.
tip-organizer of the tipped mound
tip of the tipped mound
Part of the prestalk region of the tipped mound that acts as an organizer, that is, a signalling center that directs the morphological characteristics of the entire organism.
single cell organism
Dictyostelium discoideum single cell organism
Cell that is an individual member of the species Dictyostelium discoideum.
macrocyst
Unicellular diplopid organism resulting from the fusion of two cells of opposite mating types.
prespore region
psp region
Region mostly composed of prespore cells. In addition to prespore cells, the prespore region contains anterior-like cells (ALC) that express ecmA and/or ecmB. The prespore region occupies about three quarters of the organism.
prestalk region
pst region
The prestalk region is located at the most apical part of the organism. It consists of about one quarter of the cells.
prestalk A region
Anterior-most region of the prestalk zone characterized by high expression of the ecmA gene directed by the proximal part of its promoter (ecmA promoter).
pstA region
basal disc
Conical-shaped structure that anchors the stalk to the substratum. Composed of anterior-like cells.
peripheral layer
Layer surrounding the pseudoplasmodium and composed of an electron-dense cell type.
prestalk AB core region
prestalk AB region
Cone-shaped area of the prestalk zone that occupies a core among the pstA region. Cells of the pstAB region express both the ecmA and ecmB genes.
prestalk O region
Area of the prestalk zone located posterior to the pstA region and characterized by low expression of the ecmA gene directed by the distal part of its promoter (ecmO promoter).
pstO region
stalk
Tubular structure that consists of cellulose-covered cells stacked on top of each other and surrounded by an acellular stalk tube composed of cellulose and glycoprotein.
sorophore
sorus
Ovoid structure supported by the stalk and that contains the spores.
spore head
peripheral layer cell
Electron-dense cell connected to neighboring peripheral layer cells thus forming a coherent tissue around the multicellular organism.
surface sheath
Acellular material composed of polysaccharides and proteins, formed during late aggregation and that holds the cell mass together throuhout development.
stalk tube
Open, cylindrical tube that appears during culmination. The stalk tube is composed of cellulose and glycoprotein and surrounded by a ring of actin in which stalk cells accumulate.
inner basal disc
Central portion of the basal disc. Composed of stalk cells.
outer basal disc
Ring of cells at the periphery of the basal disc composed of pstB cells (rearguard cells) and other anterior-like cells.
prestalk A region of the tipped mound
Anterior-most region of the prestalk zone of the tipped mound characterized by high expression of the ecmA gene directed by the proximal part of its promoter (ecmA promoter).
pstA region of the tipped mound
prestalk AB core region of the tipped mound
prestalk AB region of the tipped mound
Cone-shaped area of the prestalk zone of the tipped mound that occupies a core among the pstA region. Cells of the pstAB region express both the ecmA and ecmB genes.
prestalk O region of the tipped mound
Area of the prestalk zone of the tipped mound located posterior to the pstA region and characterized by low expression of the ecmA gene directed by the distal part of its promoter (ecmO promoter).
pstO region of the tipped mound
tip-organizer
Part of the prestalk region that acts as an organizer, that is, a signalling center that directs the morphological characteristics of the entire organism.
tip
tip-organizer of the early culminant
Part of the prestalk region of the early culminant that acts as an organizer, that is, a signalling center that directs the morphological characteristics of the entire organism.
tip of the early culminant
lower cup
Region located at the base of the sorus and composed of anterior-like cells.
apical disc
Most apical structure of the organism.
upper cup
Region located above the spore mass and composed of upper cup cells, derived from ALC/pstB cells.
posterior region
Region located at the very posterior of the organism that contains pstB cells (rearguard cells). These cells form the basal disc in the mature fruiting body.
apex of the mound
Apical region of the mound where cAMP signals originate that trigger positive chemotaxis from pstA and pstO cells.
basal region
Region of the early pseudoplasmodium located at the closest to the substratum composed of pstB cells.
base
apex
Apical region of the early plasmodium where cAMP signals originate that trigger positive chemotaxis from pstA and pstO cells.
upper cup cell
Cell forming the upper cup. These cells arise from ALC/pstB cells that have migrated upwards from the prespore region.
lower cup region of the early culminant
Region of the prespore zone of the early culminant that borders the base and that is the precursor of the lower cup.
lower cup region
Region of the prespore zone located just above the base and that is the precursor of the lower cup.
tip-organiser cell
Type of pstA cell that composes the very tip of the organism.
ALC/pstA cell
Anterior like cell that expresses the ecmA marker from a promoter region that is proximal to the ATG (ecmAO promoter).
ALC/pstB cell
Anterior like cell that expresses the ecmB gene. Some ALC/pstB cells become rearguard cells, while others become upper cup and lower cup cells.
lower cup cell
Cell forming the lower cup. These cells arise from ALC/pstB cells that have migrated downwards from the prespore region.
apical disc cell
Cell forming the apical disc formed of upper cup cells that remain at the top of the fruiting body once the stalk formation is complete.
upper cup region
Region located above the prespore mass and composed of a population of ALC/pstB cells.
giant cell
Large cell resulting from the fusion of two or more ameobae druing the sexual cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum. The giant cell eventually differentiates into a macrocyst.
cell
Anatomical structure that has as its parts a maximally connected cell compartment surrounded by a plasma membrane.
chemotactic amoeboid cell
chemotactic amoeboid cell (sensu Mycetozoa)
Starved cell that secretes and responds to chemoattractants (cAMP).
aggregate cell
Differentiating cell composing the aggregate that has acquired adhesive properties.
anterior like cell
ALC
Cell that has properties of anterior cells (for e.g., accumulate vital dyes in autophagic vesicles) but that is are scattered throughout the rear of the slug. Some but not all these cells express the ecmA gene and/or the ecmB gene. ALCs maintain an amoeboid appearance during culmination. ALCs that express the ecmO promoter have been called pstO/ALC.
prespore cell
Cell that is undergoing differentiation to become a spore. Characterized by the presence of prespore vesicles (PV).
psp cell
prestalk cell
pst cell
anterior cell
Cell that is undergoing differentiation to become a stalk cell and characterized by the ability to update vital dyes. Represents about one-quarter of the cells. During development, prestalk cells are located in the anterior portion of the organism.
pstO cell
Cell that is undergoing differentiation to become a stalk cell. PstO cells express ecmA at a very low level and are located at the posterior half of the prestalk zone. Expresses ecmA from the distal region of its promoter (ecmO).
prestalk O cell
pstA cell
pstAO cell
prestalk A cell
Cell that is undergoing differentiation to become a stalk cell. PstA cells express the ecmA marker from a promoter region that is proximal to the ATG (ecmAO promoter). They are located at the anterior-most region of the slug. During culmination pstA cells differentiate into pstAB cells.
rearguard cell
prestalk B cell
pstB cell
Cell expressing ecmB but not ecmA. Rearguard cells are located at the very rear of the slug (rearguard region). These cells form the outer basal disc of the fruiting body. If a migratory slug is formed, these cells are left behind.
pstAB cell
prestalk AB cell
Cell that is undergoing differentiation to become a stalk cell. PstAB cells express both ecmA and ecmB either simultaneously or sequentially. During culmination pstA differentiate into pstAB cells.
ALC/pstAB
Anterior-like cell expressing both ecmA and ecmB.
prestalk AB/anterior like cell
ALC/pstO
Anterior-like cell that expresses ecmA from the ecmO promoter and that can move to the position normally occupied by the pstO cells.
stalk cell
Cell of polyhedric shape filling the stalk tube. Stack cells are large (around 8 icrons in diameter), highly vacuolated, and are surrounded by cell wall composed of cellulose. Stalk cells die upon terminal differentiation. Their role is to provide structural support for the fruiting body.
spore
spore (sensu Mycetozoa)
Dormant cell protected by a tri-layer spore coat. The spore has an elliptical shape and is approximately 6-9 microns by 3 microns.
aspidocyte
Cell type formed in the presence of toxins. The membrane of the aspidocyte is highly resistant to detergents.
Cell that is undergoing differentiation to become a stalk cell. PstB cells express the ecmB marker and form the outer basal disc in the fruiting body.
sentinel cell
Cell present in multicellular organism that has a high ability to engulf bacteria and toxin and is presumed to have a detoxification and immune-like role.
S cell
pstI cell
Initial population of prestalk cells that activate the ecmA promoter at the mound stage and that presumably further differentiate into pstA and pstO cells.
prestalk I cell
Dictyostelium discoideum anatomical structure
Material anatomical entity that has inherent 3D shape and is generated by coordinated expression of the Dictyostelium discoideum genome.
acellular anatomical structure
Anatomical structure that consists of cell parts and cell substances and together does not constitute a cell or a tissue.
multicellular organism
Anatomical structure that is an individual member of the Dictyostelium discoideum species and consists of more than one cell.
subdivision
Anatomical structure which is a primary subdivision of whole Dictyostelium organism. The mereological sum of these is the whole organism.