Question

What are heterotrophic plants?

Answer 1

Hint: Heterotrophic plants like plants are called as- mosses, ferns, liverworts and some gymnosperms, angiosperms and algae. The plants which do not bear fruits and seeds are termed to be non-flowering plants. Flowers only in flowering or higher plants. Algae are the members of polyphyletic clades which are from the photosynthetic eukaryotes.

Complete answer-
Plants which are heterotrophs in nature can be termed as heterotrophic plants and it depends upon the host for their survival. Their modifications can be- some parasitic plants do not have leaves. For example- dodder plants. Mostly they have slender stems which are weak and coiled around the host in order to trap them within seconds. Pitcher plant, Venus fly trap, Sundew plant, Aldrovanda are some examples of heterotrophic plants.
Photosynthesis is the process of creating carbohydrates for the plants. Q cycle is the sequential oxidation and reduction of plastoquinone in the electron transport chain occurring in the thylakoid membrane. The Q cycle elaborates a series of reactions to describe how the oxidation and reduction in plants takes place. It occurs in two forms- ubiquinol and ubiquinone forms.
Plants which are dependent upon other sources for making their food or getting nutrient upliftment from the external sources are termed to be heterotrophic plants. Commonly known to be Carnivorous plants which are determined to trap small insects, arthropods and get energy by consuming other animals.
Photosynthesis uses all the elements essential for creating oxygen and energy in the form of sugar and transforms it to light energy during photosynthesis in green plants, light energy is captured and converted to water and minerals and energy rich organic compounds. There are stages in photosynthesis for conversion into chemical energy.

Note:
The saprophytic and parasitic plants can also succumb to other plants if they do not get small insects or flies. It is hard to see the plants performing photosynthesis like other plants. They are prime examples of heterotrophic plants and they have special adaptations to capture and feed on other animals unlike the plants which survive on water, sunlight to make their own glucose for survival. Examples of such species can be- Venus flytrap, Drosera capensis, California pitcher plant etc.