Question

Termites harbor colonies of microorganisms in their digestive tract. The main food source of termites are wood substances. Explain what would happen to the termite if they were treated with a drug that destroyed all of their microorganisms.

Answer 1

Cellulose digestion needs the microorganisms in the digestive tract of termites. Since the main food source of termites are wood substances, in the absence of microorganisms, they will not be able to digest food. This is called mutualism where both are being benefited with the relationship that they have. So if the microorganisms present in the digestive tract of a termite are destroyed, the termite will die. They will not have the capacity to get the nutrients they needed from the food they consume if the said microorganisms are absent since they confide on these organisms in digesting cellulose chemically.