Protists and fungal-like organisms — Comparing feeding strategies: considering the plasmodial stage of slime molds (the multinucleate Plasmodium of Myxomycetes), the amount of phagocytosis carried out by the plasmodium is, compared with water mold (Oomycete) mycelium, which mainly absorbs nutrients from digested substrates:

Introduction / Context:
This question assesses understanding of feeding modes in eukaryotic microbes, contrasting the plasmodial stage of slime molds (Myxomycetes) with water molds (Oomycetes). Plasmodial slime molds feed primarily by phagocytosis, whereas water molds, despite their fungal-like appearance, are osmotrophic and absorb dissolved nutrients after extracellular digestion.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Plasmodium” here refers to the multinucleate plasmodial body of plasmodial slime molds, not the malaria parasite.
• Water molds form hyphae and mycelium and live as saprobes or parasites.
• Comparison focuses on the amount/role of phagocytosis in acquiring nutrients.

Concept / Approach:
Plasmodial slime molds engulf particulate food (bacteria, fungal spores, small organic particles) by phagocytosis inside the flowing cytoplasm of the plasmodium. Water molds, in contrast, secrete enzymes into substrates and then absorb soluble products; they do not rely on phagocytosis. Therefore, the plasmodium exhibits more phagocytosis than oomycete mycelium.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Microscopic observations of plasmodia show streaming cytoplasm and engulfment of bacteria; oomycete hyphae lack such behavior, instead producing cell wall–degrading enzymes and absorbing monomers.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Lesser than / equal to: incorrect; oomycetes are not phagocytic.
• None of the above: incorrect because a clear directional comparison exists.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “plasmodium” (slime mold stage) with the genus Plasmodium (malaria). Also, assuming all filamentous microbes feed the same way; oomycetes mirror fungi in osmotrophy.

Final Answer:
is greater than by the water mold mycelium