Termite Guts

This demonstration explores the symbiotic relationship between termites and the protists that live in their hindgut. By dissecting a termite and examining its gut contents under a microscope, students can observe the protists responsible for breaking down cellulose in the wood the termite eats.

1. Obtain a few worker termites from a colony or commercial source.
2. Prepare a clean microscope slide and a drop of saline solution.
3. Place a termite on the slide and, using fine forceps, gently grasp the tip of its abdomen.
4. Carefully pull to extract the hindgut from the termite’s abdomen; it should appear as a whitish tube.
5. Place the hindgut into the drop of saline and gently tease it open to release the gut contents.
6. Add a cover slip and observe under a microscope, starting at low magnification.
7. Identify and sketch the various protists visible in the sample.

What's Inside a Termite's Gut? - Walter Reed Army Institute of Research:

• Compare protists from different termite species to see variation in gut symbionts.
• Use stains such as methylene blue to highlight cellular features.

• Wear gloves and safety goggles when handling termites and dissecting tools.
• Dispose of biological materials according to school or institutional biosafety guidelines.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces and tools after use.
• Do not release termites or biological waste into the environment.

• What role do the protists play in the termite’s digestion? (They produce enzymes that break down cellulose into simpler sugars the termite can absorb.)
• Why can’t termites digest wood on their own? (They lack the necessary enzymes and depend on the protists for cellulose breakdown.)
• What might happen to a termite if its gut protists were lost? (The termite would be unable to digest wood and would eventually starve.)
• How does this relationship illustrate symbiosis? (It is a mutualistic relationship where both organisms benefit—the termite gets nutrients, and the protists gain a habitat and food source.)