2007-07-08 13:25:00 · 4 answers · asked by Karla M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
NO they are not parasites but they recycle materials in the ecosystem. They have a symbiotic relationship with an intestinal protist that helps them digest cellulose. They are a major producer of methane gas which adds to global warming. They are saprobes.
2007-07-08 14:06:38 · answer #1 · answered by ATP-Man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A parasite is an organism that lives off another organism causing negative effects to the host organism.
So when a house is infested with termites then the relationship is not parasitic because the house is not an organism (the wood is dead). But if a living tree is infested then the termite is the perfect example of a parasite.
So I guess the answer is that termites can be parasites.
2007-07-08 13:41:06 · answer #2 · answered by Barry T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The definition of a parasite is anything that lives on or in another living thing or draws it's food supply from it, with no benefit to said living thing. Termites eat wood and live in it. And the tree gets nothing out of the deal. So they would be considered parasites.
2007-07-08 13:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by Wes M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure termites eat dead wood and not live wood so would not be considered parasites. I say this because one of the common places they are found is chewing up the beams in houses and that is definitely not live wood.
2007-07-08 13:41:46 · answer #4 · answered by Joan H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋