Question

How do microorganisms found in the gut of termites help termites?

A) Microorganisms in the termite gut help break down cellulose in wood.
B) They serve as a food source for termites.
C) Termites have a mutualistic relationship with these microorganisms.
D) Microorganisms in the termite gut help produce light for termites to see in the dark.

Answer 1

The microorganisms found in the gut of termites help termites in breaking down cellulose in wood, providing a food source for the termites and establishing a mutualistic relationship.

Step-by-step explanation:

The microorganisms found in the gut of termites provide several important benefits that help termites. First, these microorganisms, specifically mutualistic archaea, help in breaking down cellulose in wood. Unlike humans, termites can get nutrition from wood with the help of these microorganisms in their gut. The mutualistic relationship between termites and these microorganisms allows both organisms to obtain energy from the cellulose the termite consumes.

For example, the archaea produce enzymes that break down the cellulose in the wood into soluble carbohydrate molecules that can be used by the termite for nutrition. In return, termites provide the food source to the archaea and their bacteria. This mutualistic relationship benefits both the termites and the microorganisms in their gut.