Question

What type of organism is found in the termite biome that is vital to its survival? Name one advantage the two organisms receive by living together
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Answer 1

Termite microbiome is the most complex of any animal group. The organisms that are present in termite microbiome are bacteria, protists and fungi that are vital for its survival. They acquire these organisms from their parents and termite colonies.They help in breaking down and extracting essential nutrients such as digested sugars, short chain fatty acids etc. that are indigestible to most animals, such as lignocellulose in wood, leaf litter. In turn all these organisms get habitat, nutrition and shelter in the host. This is the mutualistic relationship which include symbiotic digestion. Typically convert 95% of cellulose into sugars within 24hrs.
Bacteria especially transform the by product of cellulose breakdown into energy source that termite can use and they take nitrogen from atmosphere and turn it into nutrients.