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What is the relationship between termites and intestinal flagellates?
The type of symbiotic relationship between termites and flagellates in their intestines is mutualism. The flagellates digest the cellulose in the termites' diet to allow them to absorb nutrients. The termite gut provides a safe place for the flagellates to live and breed.
Which type of protist lives inside the gut of termites?
The protist that lives in the gut of termites is the Trichonympha sp.
Do termites feed on cellulose insulation?
yes they do.
Why bacteria needs termite gut?
Termites primarily feed on wooden substances. As the wood contains cellulose and the termites cannot digest them, they take the help of bacteria called "Trichonympha". This bacterium assists in digestion of cellulose in termites. This type of relation between the bacterum and the termites is called as Symbiosis. This is a type of relation in which both of the participating organisms get mutually benefited. In this context termites get their food digested and the bacteria receive food and shelter in the gut of termites.
How do you digest food with fiber?
In order to digest food with fiber, you need to have the enzyme cellulase that can break down the bonds between the two cellulose molecules, or have a symbiotic organism that does. Such symbiotic relationship is the case for termites. Inside the intestines of termites, there are small protists known as Trichonymphathat digests wood.
Why can termites digest wood?
To digest cellulose, organisms must produce the enzyme cellulase. Humans and termites are unable to produce cellulase themselves but termites have living in their gut simple organisms (protozoa and bacteria) which can produce the enzyme. This is an example of mutualism - a relationship between two species in which both organisms benefit. The protoza and bacteria benefit by receiving a constant supply of food (wood) from the termite. The termite benefits from the energy-rich sugar released from the cellulose by the termites. For more details see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termite
Is there a type of termite that can eat through steel?
No ---------------------------------------------------------- I am no entomological expert, but I can say with some confidence that no such species exists. Termites eat through wood because it is high in cellulose, in fact they will eat almost anything high in cellulose (one of the few animal species that can process raw cellulose). The termites themselves do not process the cellulose, though. They have symbiont protozoans in their hindgut that do this for them, so they survive through a symbiotic relationship with these gut protozoans. As a species, termites are defined by this dependence on cellulose. So, if an insect species was found to eat steel, it would most likely not be classified as a termite. Steel does not contain cellulose.
What type of wood do termites prefer?
There are a few things that help keep termites alive and in your home - water, cellulose and shelter. Cellulose is what makes up dead wood. Termites "eat" cellulose in order to stay alive, absorbing its nutrients and moisture. When there is no cellulose, they look elsewhere for sources of nutrition. Termites can survive solely on water; however cellulose is the best source of nutrients for their diet. Termites will eat any type of wood, as long as the wood is dead, and most houses have plenty of dead wood for termites to feast on. Stumps, mulch, and other wood debris are a perfect meal for a hungry termite. If termites get into the foundation of a home and into the wooden structure, they can cause severe damage. By: MTS
What lives inside a termites stomach?
Inside a termite's stomach, there are various microorganisms, including bacteria and protozoa, that help the termite digest cellulose from wood and plant material. These symbiotic organisms break down complex carbohydrates into simpler compounds, allowing termites to extract nutrients from their food. This mutualistic relationship is essential for the termite's survival, as termites cannot digest cellulose on their own.
If protists didn't live inside the stomachs of termites what would happen to the termite?
The termites would be unable to break down the cellulose in the wood. This would make the termites starve to death because they need the nutients from the cellulose to survive.
Is wood part of a ladybug diet?
No, they do not digest cellulose like termites.
What do termites feed on?
They eat cellulose found in wood, grass, some plants.
