Is trichonympha animal like?

Trichonympha is a genus of single-celled, anaerobic parabasalids of the order Hypermastigia that is found exclusively in the hindgut of lower termites and wood roaches. Trichonympha's bell shape and thousands of flagella make it an easily recognizable cell.
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1. What are the characteristics of Trichonympha?
2. Is Trichonympha a parasite?
3. What do termites and Trichonympha have in common?
4. How many flagella do Trichonympha have?
5. What is the relationship between termites and protozoa?
6. How does Trichonympha get energy?
7. Which organism has an Endosymbiotic relationship with termites?
8. Are termites eukaryotic?
9. Do termites eat?
10. Can termites eat cellulose?
11. Are protists eukaryotic?

What are the characteristics of Trichonympha?

Apart from a rounded, bell-shaped body, members of the genus Trichonympha are also characterized by numerous flagella which can be as many as ten thousand or more. These allow the flagellate to navigate through the highly viscous environment in the hindgut of the termite (or cockroach that feed on wood).

Is Trichonympha a parasite?

Trypansosoma a human parasite and Trichonympha, a protozoan that lives in the gut of termites are examples of zooflagellates. Some protozoans move by means to pseudopodia (extensions of the plasma membrane). These are called the sarcodines, and Amoeba is an example of this group. Ciliates move by means of cilia.

What do termites and Trichonympha have in common?

Trichonympha have the enzymes needed to convert cellulose in wood into starches and sugars that the termite can use as nutrients. ... The relationship between termites and their endosymbionts demonstrates a symbiotic relationship of mutualism.

How many flagella do Trichonympha have?

Trichonympha is a symbiotic flagellate of many species of termites and of the wood-feeding cockroach. Remarkably, this unicellular organism harbors up to over ten thousand flagella on its surface, which serve to propel it through the viscous environment of the host hindgut.

What is the relationship between termites and protozoa?

For example, termites have a mutualistic relationship with protozoa that live in the insect's gut (Figurea). The termite benefits from the ability of bacterial symbionts within the protozoa to digest cellulose.

How does Trichonympha get energy?

Termites have a symbiotic relationship with Protozoa of the Genus Trichonympha, belonging to the Phylum Parabasalia. In turn, the Trichonympha benefit from the energy they gain from the steady supply of cellulose provided by the termite. ...

Which organism has an Endosymbiotic relationship with termites?

Examples of Endosymbiosis

Thus, the termite supplies food for the protozoan, and the protozoan provides food for the termite. In this example, the protozoan is the endosymbiont, or the internal organism in the endosymbiotic relationship.

Are termites eukaryotic?

All termites eat wood, yet cannot digest it. ... The so called “Upper Termites” have only prokaryotes and the “Lower Termites” both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Why this is so is not clear. Along with some cockroaches, termites are among only a small number of wood eating insects with protist symbionts.

Do termites eat?

Termites don't exclusively eat wood. They eat anything that contains cellulose. Cellulose is an indigestible carbohydrate found in many of the foods we eat, such as corn, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, cauliflower, and more.

Can termites eat cellulose?

Termites are able to live off cellulose thanks to the organisms found in their stomachs. Bacteria and protozoa form a mutually beneficial relationship with the pests by producing a special enzyme that naturally breaks down cellulose. They digest the cellulose, and termites receive their nutrition in the form of sugar.

Are protists eukaryotic?

A protist (/ˈproʊtɪst/) is any eukaryotic organism (that is, an organism whose cells contain a cell nucleus) that is not an animal, plant, or fungus.