Clearly cellulose is very abundant on earth, and it is a long-lasting stable substance. Many animals cannot digest cellulose. Given this, what prevents the bodies of dead plants from filling the earth? Something must decompose cellulose. This is where fungal decomposition comes in--fungi digest cellulose, as do many prokaryotes. Name two organisms that consume cellulose and make an educated guess as to whether each breaks down cellulose or simply excretes it as fiber.

Question

Michael

Biology

10 April, 10:16

Clearly cellulose is very abundant on earth, and it is a long-lasting stable substance. Many animals cannot digest cellulose. Given this, what prevents the bodies of dead plants from filling the earth? Something must decompose cellulose. This is where fungal decomposition comes in--fungi digest cellulose, as do many prokaryotes. Name two organisms that consume cellulose and make an educated guess as to whether each breaks down cellulose or simply excretes it as fiber.

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Answers (1)

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Itzel Rodgers · Answer 1

Answer: Termites and herbivores.

Explanation:

The two organism that can digests cellulose are termites and herbivores. The termite contains protists known as mastigophorans carry out digestion of cellulose in the body.

The cellulose in this case is digested and prevents it from getting deposited in the environment.

The other organism are animals like ruminants which can digest cellulose in their gut. They partially digest the cellulose and regurgitate it into the mouth an broken down further.

This process of digestion of cellulose in the gut is anaerobic so methane is released in the environment as a product of digestion.

The human beings cannot digest cellulose and a very less amount of it is considered as fiber and is simply excreted.