Question

The Pitcher plant traps insects and also uses atmospheric CO2 as a carbon source. Which of the

following best describes the nutrition of this organism?

(a) Autotrophic only

(b) Heterotrophic only

(c) Parasitic only

(d) autotrophic and heterotrophic​

Answer 1

Answer:

d. Autotrophic and Heterotrophic

Explanation:

The pitcher plant performs photosynthesis which makes it an autotrophic plant but it has also a partial heterotrophic mode of nutrition because pitcher plant grows on nitrogen deficient soil.

Answer 2

Answer:

Correct Answer: d) autotrophic and heterotrophic

Explanation:

GENERAL DEFINITION:

Autotrophs are called producers as they are able to make their own food using available raw materials. Plants are producers.

Heterotrophs are also called consumers since they do not make their own food but depend upon producers or consumers for their nutrition. Animal, insects, etc are heterotrophs.

Explanation:

• Nitrogen is an essential component of plant growth.
• However, plants cannot directly utilize nitrogen from the atmosphere.
• Lightning helps to fix atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates.
• Plants also depend upon various nitrogen-fixing various bacteria in the soil to fix the atmospheric nitrogen into a usable nitrate or ammonia.
• Some of the plants like Legumes form symbiont relationships with nitrogen-fixing micro-organisms so as to have nitrogen easily accessible.
• However, this is not the case for all the plant species out there.
• One of the classic examples is that of the pitcher plant.
• Pitcher plants are usually grown in nutrient-poor soils.
• While they retain the function of photosynthesis for their carbon requirements, it cannot suffice the needs for nitrogen, phosphorus, and other minerals.
• So, these pitcher plants lure and trap small insects and flies.
• Once the prey is captured, it releases digestive enzymes and absorbs all the nutrients from the prey thereby fulfilling its needs.

Conclusion:

Pitcher plant uses both autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of nutrition.

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