MeSH definition : A class of endosymbiont EUKARYOTES, in the group PARABASALIDEA, that are obligate
mutualists in the digestive tracts of wood-eating insects. Hypermastigotes produce
CELLULASE that breaks down the cellulose in wood so that insects can metabolize it.;
MeSH synonym : hypermastigotes; hypermastigote;
MeSH hyponym : trichonympha; Trichonymphas;
MeSH Related Number : txid63627;
MeSH annotation : infection; coordinate IM with PROTOZOAN INFECTIONS (IM); coordinate with specific
protozoan terms (ANTIGENS, PROTOZOAN, etc) if pertinent;
A class of endosymbiont EUKARYOTES, in the group PARABASALIDEA, that are obligate
mutualists in the digestive tracts of wood-eating insects. Hypermastigotes produce
CELLULASE that breaks down the cellulose in wood so that insects can metabolize it.