Question

A plant that has both autotrophic and heterotrophic mode of nutrition is ______.

Answer 1

Hint: Nutritionology is the study of nutrients and other important substances which are found in the food. These nutrients help in the maintenance, growth and reproduction of the living cell. There are two types of nutrition: Autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition.

Complete answer:

Autotrophic nutrition: In this type of nutrition, the organisms synthesize their own by using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Green plants are also known as autotrophs. They make their own food by using the process of photosynthesis. The cells of the leaves contain special organelles called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are the main sites of photosynthesis. The autotrophs are also known as primary producers.

Heterotrophic nutrition: In this type of nutrition, the organisms depend on the other organisms for the food. All animals and non-green plants are known as heterotrophs. The heterotrophs are also known as consumers because they depend on the other organisms for food.

The pitcher plant has both autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of nutrition. 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. To meet its nitrogen requirement, it uses pitchers to trap insects and from insects it sucks or uses nitrogen to fulfill its nitrogen usage.

Fig. Pitcher plant

This plant has a pitcher-like structure which is a modified part of the leaf. The apex of the leaf develops into the lid which can open and closes the mouth of the pitcher. Pitchers contain hairs which are directed downwards. When an insect lands in the pitcher, the lid closes and the insect is trapped in the pitcher. 

Note: The pitcher plant falls under the category of insectivorous plants. Insectivorous plants are the plants which obtain nutrients by trapping and consuming animals. Insectivorous plants include Venus flytrap, several types of pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts.