describe the mutualistic relationship between trichonymphs, termite, and bacteria. Solution Trichonympha live in the gut of a termite and enable the termite to survive. As termites eat wood. But they are unable to digest cellulose, which is major component in the wood. The Trichonympha that live in the termite\'s gut feed on this cellulose. If not present then termites would die of starvation. The Trichonympha in this way feed themselves. Termites learned that a bacterium in their gut could help them break down the cellulose and plant fibers that they eat ..