This activity explores the content presented in the animated film Termites Digest Wood Thanks to Microbes, which describes the symbiotic relationship between termites and the wood-digesting protists in their gut.

In this episode of the series I Contain Multitudes, Ed Yong explores the secrets behind termites’ power to digest an abundant source of food: wood. The key to this ability is the microbes in their gut. Yong and Princeton scientist Xinning Zhang discuss how termites evolved into wood-eating specialists about 150 million years ago, and how they use a unique social behavior to transfer the microbes from one generation to the next.

The “Student Handout” probes students’ understanding of the key concepts addressed in the film. The “Educator Materials” document provides suggested pause points in the film with questions for students, background information, and detailed discussion points; a list of related resources and references; and an answer key for the “Student Handout.”