Slime Molds
Slime molds contribute to the ecological balance when they decompose dead plant material by "eating" it through the process of phagocytosis. They also feed on bacteria. They are similar to fungi in their role of decomposer, but unlike fungi, they do not have cell walls.
Slime molds have a life cycle that alternates between a spore producing body (think of a mushroom) that releases spores which germinate and release flagellated or amoeboid cells that mate/merge and grow into another spore producing body. See the picture below for clarification.
Slime molds have a life cycle that alternates between a spore producing body (think of a mushroom) that releases spores which germinate and release flagellated or amoeboid cells that mate/merge and grow into another spore producing body. See the picture below for clarification.