2007-06-06 10:36:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The most obvious answer is that they would have to eat something else.
Since most termites rely on symbiotic gut microorganisms to digest cellulose (even those than don't need them still have them), I'm sure that every now and then something happens to those microorganisms that upsets their balance, decreasing or eleminating them temporarily. Humans can experience something similar when we visit foreign lands sometimes - native orgnisms fight our own intestinal flora and make us feel sick and digest poorly. But we live, and eventually the balance is restored.
Having that happen probably wouldn't even deter them from living in trees and wooden structures that we make. After all, beavers don't digest cellulose at all and they still cut down plenty of trees for the other advantages it gives them. I'm sure termites would be just as persistent in their behaviours.
2007-06-06 10:48:33 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They would die! What a silly question. Did you know that they actually contain bacteria in their GIT to digest the cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose found in the wood - they cant actually digest it them selves. These bacteria turn it into simple sugars (mono/di saccharides) which are digestible by the termites.
Ashley
2007-06-06 10:43:23 · answer #2 · answered by Ashley 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A little difference with Doctor Y: Termites don't live in trees or in the wood of buildings. They live in dirt mounds they have built or underground and only go to the wood to eat.
2007-06-06 14:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by Joan H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then they would learn not to eat it and find a different habitat to live in.
Just like humans cannot digest the cellulose in grass, they do not regard it as a food source.
2007-06-06 10:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by Linduh. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They would need bacteria in their gut to do it for them. Isn't that actually the case?
2007-06-06 10:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋