cell wall components of Acrasiales?

class name for cellular slime molds (division Myxomycophyta). The class contains a single order, Acrasiales, and about a dozen species. The vegetative phase of these slime molds consists of amoeba-like cells (myxamoebas) that group together ultimately to form a fruiting (reproductive) structure.

Cellular Slime Molds - The Acrasiales

The cellular slime molds are remarkable organism. Its basic structure and mode of formation are completely different from that of any mould, in fact, different from that of any other group of organism known.

In a suitable habitat the spore germinates, and from the split spore case emerges a small amoeba. Each amoeba feeds by engulfing bacteria before it divides. The amoebas greatly increase in numbers under proper conditions and then begin to converge. Until this time of aggregation, they are virtually indistinguishable from the many other amoebas that swarm in the soil.

These amoebas feed on bacteria and divide repeatedly until the feeding area practically devoid of bacteria, the amoebas forming almost a complete covering. The amoebas then begin to congregate climbing up on each other as they form a little mound - the first stage in the welding of separate living entities into one composite organism. When the myxamoebas have aggregated to the conical stage with the little nipple at the top, the whole pyramid falls over on its side, and, with the nipple raised and leading the way, the 'slug' moves over the surface toward the light before continuing further development.

The Acrasiales were associated with the Myxomycetes by accident because it was thought that the aggregation stage was a true plasmodium. But they lack convincing evidence of sexuality; and, in addition, the aggregated individuals remain organically, if not functionally, distinct.

The cytoplasm of the Myxomycetes resembles that of other cells in having the usual internal structures such as nuclei, mitochondria, and vacuoles and, in the plasmodium stage, it resembles the cytoplasm of amoebas. The major difference is the giant size -- one plasmodial cell membrane encompasses dozens to millions of nuclei. The nuclei, however, are characteristically quite small