Pitcher plant traps insects because it:a)grows in soils which lack in ...
Answer: A. Grows in soils which lack in nitrogen.
Explanation:
- Nutrient-poor soils: Pitcher plants are typically found in environments where the soil is low in essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen. This lack of nitrogen makes it difficult for plants to grow and thrive.
- Carnivorous adaptation: To survive in these nutrient-poor environments, pitcher plants have evolved to become carnivorous, trapping and digesting insects to obtain the necessary nitrogen and other nutrients that are scarce in the soil.
- Insect trapping mechanism: The pitcher plant has a unique structure called a "pitfall trap," which is a modified leaf in the shape of a pitcher. This structure is filled with a liquid that attracts insects. Once inside, the insects are unable to escape due to the slippery walls of the pitcher and eventually drown in the liquid.
- Digestion and nutrient absorption: The drowned insects are then broken down by enzymes and other substances in the liquid, releasing the nutrients, such as nitrogen, which the pitcher plant absorbs to supplement its nutritional needs.
- Pitcher plant grows in the soil which is deficient in Nitrogen, for nitrogen sources it traps and digests the insects.
- It carries out photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates.
Pitcher plant traps insects because it:a)grows in soils which lack in ...
Reason why pitcher plants trap insects:
Pitcher plants trap insects because they grow in soils which lack in nitrogen. This scarcity of nitrogen in their environment leads these plants to obtain nutrients from insects in order to compensate for the deficiency.
How pitcher plants acquire nutrients:
- Pitcher plants have specialized leaves that form a pitcher-shaped structure which contains a digestive fluid.
- Insects are attracted to the pitcher plant due to its nectar and slippery inner walls.
- When an insect enters the pitcher, it gets trapped in the digestive fluid and eventually gets digested.
- The plant then absorbs the nutrients released from the digested insects, particularly nitrogen, to meet its nutritional needs.
Adaptation of pitcher plants:
- The ability of pitcher plants to trap and digest insects has evolved as an adaptation to their nutrient-poor environments.
- By capturing and consuming insects, pitcher plants can supplement their diet with essential nutrients that are lacking in the soil.
- This unique feeding strategy allows pitcher plants to thrive in habitats where other plants may struggle to survive due to nutrient deficiencies.
In conclusion, pitcher plants trap insects as a means of acquiring nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which is scarce in their growing environment. This adaptation has enabled pitcher plants to thrive in nutrient-poor soils and demonstrates their remarkable ability to obtain essential nutrients through carnivorous behavior.
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