How do older nymphs and worker termites digest wood?

The digestion of wood by older nymphs and worker termites is primarily facilitated by protozoa residing in their colon. Termites are unique in their ability to break down cellulose, which is the main component of wood. This ability is largely due to the symbiotic relationship they maintain with protozoa, which live in their intestines and help digest the cellulose by breaking it down into simpler sugars that the termites can then absorb and utilize as nutrients.

While some types of digestion processes involving the wood may occur in other areas of the digestive system, such as the stomach or through salivary enzymes, the primary and most efficient digestion of wood takes place in the colon due to the activity of these protozoa. Therefore, recognizing the crucial role of protozoa in the digestive process highlights the complex interactions within the termite's ecosystem and the importance of symbiosis in their survival.