Question

We think of termites as insects that eat wood. However, termites cannot digest the wood and rely on a variety of eukaryotic and prokaryotic gut microbes to digest cellulose. Without the microbes, the termites will still ingest wood but will starve. This, then, is an example of a(n); obligate antagonism. facultative antagonism. None of the answer options is correct. obligate mutualism. facultative mutualism.

Answer 1

Obligate Mutualism

Step-by-step explanation:

Living organisms tend to be involved in relationships with one another. This question is one of those ecological relationships, specifically, mutualistic relationship because both organisms benefit from one another. According to the question, the termite feeds on wood containing cellulose. The microbes present in their guts help them to digest this cellulose and in turn the termites provide shelter and food source for the decomposers/microbes.

This relationship is further described as OBLIGATE because the termite is strictly dependent on the microbe to survive. The termite does not have the ability to digest the main components of wood called CELLULOSE, which it ingests. Hence, the microbe is strictly needed by the termite. This mutualistic relationship is a dire need by one or both organisms in order to survive. Therefore, it is an OBLIGATE MUTUALISM.