How Termites Eat Wood
WouterTermites are silent destroyers that can cause massive damage to homes and other structures. They can be detected using specially designed equipment. They have strong jaws that are designed to chew through wood.
Termites can live in colonies of thousands of members. To survive, they need food. One of their main sources of food is wood. The cellulose found in wood is an organic compound that provides the termites with nutrients. The wood is then broken down into simpler molecules by a bacteria and protozoa in the termite’s gut.
During the process of breaking down cellulose, the protozoa produce enzymes. These enzymes break down the cellulose into simple sugars. These simple sugars are then converted into energy for the termites.
Unlike cockroaches, termites can digest wood. Having a good digestive system is very important for a termite to survive. The termite’s intestinal lining is stuffed with hundreds of species of microbes.
The protists in the gut make cellulose digestion easier for termites. They also help convert the wood into acetate, which gives the termites energy. The nuphridium, a liquid formed when the cellulose is digested, is used to make protein and fat.
The process of cellulose breakdown is called cellulolysis. The termite’s digestive system breaks down the cellulose into simple sugars, which are then absorbed for energy. This process takes several months.
Termites’ ability to eat wood is a source of great interest to researchers. They hope to use this knowledge to help turn the termite against its host.
