How Termites Digest Wood
WouterTermites eat wood, grass, and soil to survive. They are an important source of methane in the atmosphere. This green house gas is much more potent than carbon dioxide.
Termites need a complex set of microbes to digest wood. This is called the triple symbiosis. The termite digestive system contains hundreds of species of microbes. Most of these are bacteria, but there are a few protozoa that play a role in the process.
These organisms have a secretion that breaks down wood cellulose into simple sugars. It is one of the most common organic compounds in the earth. It gives plants structure. It is found in many types of foods. It is also used in the manufacture of paper.
Researchers are looking to harness this process to break down wood into useful chemicals for biofuel production. If this is successful, scientists may be able to extract valuable sugars from biomass.
The secret to termite digestion is an enzyme that is secreted by a small organism in the gut. This microbe breaks down cellulose into simple sugars, and then it is absorbed by the termite. The glucose is then removed through a peritrophic membrane.
Termites are one of the only animals that can break down wood. Their symbiotic microbes provide the enzymes needed to decompose wood into useful chemicals. They are also good at producing methane, which is a greenhouse gas.
Researchers have discovered that termites can produce acetogenesis. This is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic carbon and hydrogen. They were able to identify the specific genes involved in this process.
