Question

In Nepenthes, the pitcher is modified __________
A. Whole leaf
B. Leaf apex
C. Lamina
D. Petiole
ELeaf base

Answer 1

Hint:- Nepenthes, also called tropical pitcher plant or monkey cup, genus of carnivorous pitcher plants. Nepenthes species grow in very acidic soil, these are the plants that capture insects and other prey by means of modified pitcher shaped leaves that function as passive pitfall traps.

Complete Answer:- Prey gets attracted by nectar secreted from the underside of the trap’s lid and the prey slips from the mouth of the pitcher into a pool of liquid at the bottom and are unable to escape, because of the pitcher’s downward pointing hairs and slick sides.
The insects that drown inside the trap are digested by the enzymes.
The lower part of the trap contains glands which absorbs nutrients from captured prey.
Nepenthes species usually produce two types of pitchers, known as leaf dimorphism. Lower traps are present near the base of the plant and upper pitchers or traps are usually large and these upper pitchers usually form a loop in the tendril allowing it to wrap around the nearby plant.
Whole leaf of the plant is not modified. So, this option is not correct.
Leaf apex can not be modified into pitcher in nepenthes plant. Therefore, this option is also incorrect.
Lamina is modified into a pitcher to trap the insects. So, this option is correct.
The petiole is modified into thin wiry coiled tendril like structure which help the pitcher vertically. Hence, it is not the correct option as petiole is not modified into a pitcher. Leaf base can not be modified into a pitcher. So, this option is also incorrect.
So, our correct option is C.

Note:- The most obvious interaction between nepenthes species and their environment , including other organisms is that of predator and prey. Nepenthes species attract and kill their prey through active production of attractive colours and even sweet scents.