We think of termites as insects that "eat" wood. In fact, however, termites rely on a variety of eukaryotic and prokaryotic gut microbes to digest cellulose-without the microbes, the termites will ingest wood, but will starve. The microbes obtain all of their nutrition from the wood. The interaction between the termites and their gut microbes is an example of a (n);

Question

Lena Wall

Biology

9 August, 03:02

We think of termites as insects that "eat" wood. In fact, however, termites rely on a variety of eukaryotic and prokaryotic gut microbes to digest cellulose-without the microbes, the termites will ingest wood, but will starve. The microbes obtain all of their nutrition from the wood. The interaction between the termites and their gut microbes is an example of a (n);

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Kaylah Oneal · Answer 1

Symbiosis

Explanation:

Termites are the important insects due to its role in in nutrient recycling in the terrestrial ecosystems. Termites eat wood. The wood contain cellulose, a complex carbohydrate which is cannot be digested by most insects such as termites. For the breakdown and digestion of wood is carried out by the microorganisms present in the hindgut of the termites. The microbes live in the gut as a symbiont. The microbes break down cellulose into simple sugars and fatty acids which are easily absorbed into the cells of the termites.