Question

animals cannot produce enzymes to digest cellulose, yet many termite species consume cellulose from plant material as a main part of their diet. How do termites access the nutrients contained in cellulose?

Answer 1

Answer:

Termites have cellulose-digesting protists in their guts.

Explanation:

Termites are able to access nutrients contained in cellulose due to their mutualistic association with some cellulose-digesting protists such as Trichonympha and Mixotricha. The protists produce cellulase in addition to other glycolytic enzymes that work together to convert cellulose to malate.

The malate produced is further metabolized to produce $CO_2$, hydrogen, acetate and energy in the form of ATP.

The protists get sheltered in the termite's gut in return.