BioMEDIA Video: Termites: The Secret Queens of the Forest (1-Year Schoolwide Subscription)

Grades 6–12. The role of subterranean termites in recycling wood is fundamental to the ecosystem. Termites are responsible for the disappearance of many tons of decaying wood every season, reintroducing all its components into the cycle of life. These insects solve a crucial problem with their ability to digest the main components of wood, cellulose and a matrix of lignin. Most animals cannot digest these components, so how do termites do it?

The secret is inside them, which we will discover when we look inside their intestines. A myriad of microscopic living beings inhabit termite intestines. They are symbionts that have evolved over millions of years along with termites. The symbionts break down cellulose to liberate molecules of sugar, which provides nourishment for the termites. The termites' environment, their work as wood eaters, the tiny microbes helping them to digest wood, and, of course, their special organization into castes, are features of termite life shown in this program. Macro- and microphotography help us to discover why termites are known as the "the secret queens of the woodlands." This program is 45 minutes long and includes 4 chapters:

• Chapter 1: The Forest Energy Accumulators
• Chapter 2: What Are Termites?
• Chapter 3: Why Can Termites Feed on Wood?
• Chapter 4: How Do These Termites Live?

It also includes an additional reference document for download. This schoolwide subscription gives all teachers and students affiliated with the school access to the program for 1 year.