Question

Assertion: Cuscuta is an example of a holoparasite.
Reason: It does not depend on other plants for nutrition requirements.
A) Both assertion and reason are correct and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are correct but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.
C) Assertion is correct but reason is incorrect.
D) Both assertion and reason are incorrect.

Answer 1

Parasitic plants can be classified depending on the amount of nutrients acquired from the host and the location to where it attaches itself onto the same. Cuscuta is an example of a parasitic plant.

Complete answer:
Complete step by step solution:
Some of the different classifications of parasitic plants are:-
Obligate and Facultative- the former cannot complete its life cycle without a host whereas the latter can.
Stem and Root parasite- the former attaches to the stem of the host whereas the latter attaches itself to the root.
Hemiparasite and Holoparasite- the former is photosynthetic to a certain degree and only obtains a certain amount of nutrients from the host but the latter usually lacks chlorophyll and obtains every bit of nutrients from the host.

Let us go through each of the different options provided and with proper reasoning find out which one is correct.

Option A: Only, the assertion is correct. Cuscuta is a holoparasite, a type of an obligate parasite which cannot complete its life cycle without a host. But, the reason is incorrect because it has to depend on other plants (hosts) for nutrients like carbon needs, water needs and so on. Therefore, A is incorrect.
Option B: The reason itself is incorrect as it is a factually wrong statement in the case of Cuscuta or holoparasites. So, automatically option B is incorrect.
Option C: The assertion is correct and the reason is incorrect. So it ticks off all the categories this option provides. Cuscuta does depend on other hosts for nutrition requirements in order to complete their life cycle. Therefore, option C is the correct option.
Option D: This is the easiest option to eliminate as we know the assertion is correct. So, option D is definitely incorrect.
Hence the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: Cuscuta, often known as dodders are stem parasites from which they obtain all the nutrients and water. They are used in traditional medicine making as well.