Termites, protozoa

N-Terminal nucleophile hydrolases autoactivation of 621 Termites, protozoa in 19 Tertiary structure of a protein 59 TES buffer 99... 

Humans and other mammals lack the /3-glucosidase enzyme needed to hydrolyze cellulose, so they cannot use it directly for food. Several groups of bacteria and protozoa can hydrolyze cellulose, however. Termites and ruminants maintain colonies of these bacteria in their digestive tracts. When a cow eats hay, these bacteria convert about 20% to 30% of the cellulose to digestible carbohydrates. 

CelluiO >e molecules tend to be straight chains, and the fibers which result from collections of cellulose molecules have the strength to form the supporting structures of plants. Even though human digestion carmot break down cellulose for use as a food, animals such as cattle and termites rely on the energy content of cellulose. They have protozoa and bacteria with the necessary enzymes in their digestive systems. Cellulose in the human diet is needed for fibre. 

Termites use micro-organisms - either protozoa or bacteria, depending upon the termite - in the gut to help digest plant material (cellulose). An individual termite produces around 0.5 micrograms of CH4 per day. On scaling this up, worldwide emissions of up to 20 million metric tonnes a year from the cathedral nest mounds produced by the termite colonies have been estimated. 

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