Question

Why does insectivorous plant eat insects when it is capable of carrying out photosynthesis?

Answer 1

1.These plants (e.g. pitcher plant) are green and carry out photosynthesis to obtain a part of the food required by them.

2. But they do not get the nitrogen from the soil in which they grow. So, insectivorous or carnivorous plants feed on insects to obtain the nitrogen needed for their growth.

Explanation

1.Heterotrophic nutrition is found in venus fly trap because although it is a plant but it does not performs photosynthesis but depends on small insects for obtaining nutrition and this type of method to obtain food comes under heterotrophic nutrition. venus fly trap is a insectivorous plant

2.insectivorous plants do have chlorophyll but it doesn't have nutrients from the soil to make food.

Answer 2

Answer:

To suffice the nutrient needs of the plant.

Explanation:

• Pitcher plant, Venus fly trap, sundew, etc are examples of insectivorous or carnivorous plants.

• These plants are usually grown in nutrient-deficient soil, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other minerals are limiting factors for them.
• Nitrogen is very essential for the growth and metabolism of plants, plants cannot directly utilize nitrogen from the atmosphere.
• Atmosphere nitrogen is first fixed into nitrates and nitrites. Lightning and some micro-organisms help in this process.
• Like every other green plant, these insectivorous plants perform photosynthesis for their carbon and energy source. However, the needs for nitrogen and other mineral are not fulfilled.
• Therefore, these plants depend upon small insects and birds for nitrogen.
• These small insects are trapped in the sensitive hairs of insectivorous plants, they then secrete digestive juices and digest the trapped insect and absorb the required nutrients.

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