Final answer:
Termites utilize symbiotic feeding to digest cellulose in wood through a mutualistic relationship with protozoa in their guts, which contain cellulase-producing bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Termites Digest Cellulose through Symbiotic Relationships
The specific type of feeding found in termites that is necessary for them to acquire the bacteria or protists needed to digest cellulose is called symbiotic feeding. Termites form a mutualistic relationship with protozoa in their guts, which in turn harbor symbiotic bacteria that produce the enzyme cellulase. This enzyme is critical for breaking down cellulose, the main component of the wood that termites consume. Without these protozoa and their bacterial symbionts, termites would not be able to obtain energy from the cellulose in wood. This biological arrangement benefits all parties involved: the termite gets to digest cellulose, the protozoa have a protective environment and a constant food supply, and the bacteria gain a stable environment and nutrients.
Similarly, lichens represent another example of a mutualistic relationship, where a fungus has symbiotic photosynthetic algae living inside its cells, benefiting both organisms.