Base your answer on the information below and on your knowledge of biology. Termites depend on microbes living in their guts to digest molecules of the large, complex carbohydrate, cellulose.
Cellulose is the part of wood termites feed on. The microbes produce a substance called cellulase, which speeds up the
breakdown of cellulose into molecules of glucose. Termites cannot make cellulase on their own. Without the help of the
microbes, the termites are not able to absorb the nutrients that they need to survive.
Explain why the microbes are necessary in order for the termites to absorb nutrients that they need to survive.