Answer:
First, we add the complete question, the options and then out answer.
A colony of termites was exposed to an atmosphere of 100 percent oxygen for three days. the insects were not immediately harmed by the treatment, but the protozoa that lived in the termites' guts were eliminated. the treated termites continued to behave normally and to eat wood, but they began to starve after a short time. when the treated termites were instead fed wood contaminated with the feces of untreated termites, the treated termites regain the ability to digest wood and no longer starved. the best analysis of the results of the experiment is that
The options:
(A) infection with protozoa causes the termites to
switch to fermentation
(B) cooperative interactions between the termites
and the protozoa allow termites to extract
energy from wood to survive
(C) the termite immune system eliminates
protozoa from the gut
(D) termites digest protozoa as their main source
of energy
The CORRECT ANSWER IS (B)
(B) cooperative interactions between the termites
and the protozoa allow termites to extract energy from wood to survive
Explanation:
(A) infection with protozoa causes the termites to switch to fermentation❌
Wood consumption by termites its interlinked with availability of the protozoa. Refaunation fosters the ability of the termite to feed on woods. Studies show that the energy obtained from wood on the absence of the protozoa is not sufficient for the termite daily needs. Infection with protozoa won't lead the termites to switch to fermentation but help digest the wood consumed... mutualism
(B) cooperative interactions between the termites and the protozoa allow termites to extract energy from wood to survive✔
The experiment proves that the termites lacks the capacity to digest wood due to the demise of its protozoa in its gut. This capacity to digest wood is initiated after the termites ate feces contaminated with that particular protozoa to indicate how the protozoa show mutualism with the termite which it helps in digesting the wood.
(C) the termite immune system eliminates protozoa from the gut❌
Any hypothesis stating that the protozoa is dangerous to the termite, prompting the termite immune system to defends itself against it is wrong due to the astonishing number of the protozoa in the hind-gut of termites and the healthy condition of its host, the termite
(D) termites digest protozoa as their main source of energy❌
A view with the aid of microscope of the seething mass in termites hind-gut cam be observed proving that the protozoa makes up one third of the weight of the termite.
