A shipworm is an animal that subsists entirely on a diet of wood. What digestive feature is this animal likely to have in order to survive on this highly specialized diet?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since shipworms feed on wood, they require enzymes that can break down cellulose, which is a tough, fibrous material found in plant cell walls. Shipworms lack the ability to produce these enzymes themselves, so they rely on symbiotic relationships with microorganisms that can produce cellulose-digesting enzymes. This allows them to break down the wood and obtain the nutrients that they need to survive.

A Shipworm Is an Animal That Subsists Entirely on a Diet