Question
Question: Which of the following is an example of insectivorous plants? a. Nepenthes b. Utricularia c. ...
Which of the following is an example of insectivorous plants?
a. Nepenthes
b. Utricularia
c. Venus fly trap
d. All of the above
Solution
Hint: Insectivorous plants are strong plants that capture insects by an ingenious trap and digest them for nutrients.
Complete answer:
Carnivorous plants are plants that derive some or most of their nutrients from trapping and consuming animals or protozoans, typically insects and other arthropods., The nutrients in the moist soil are scarce. That is why they trap and digest insects to absorb nutrients. Because insects are one of the most common prey items for most carnivorous plants, they are sometimes called insectivorous plants. Carnivorous plants are fascinating because, even when they are not trapping insects, their unusual forms are intriguing.
Nepenthes - Also called a pitcher plant. It has a most unusual leaf that first looks like a normal leaf, then develops a tendril at its tip, and finally, the tip of the tendril develops an amazing pitcher. They attract insects with the odour of nectar.
Utricularia- A plant named for its tiny bladders, or utricles. The bladderwort has a trap faster than the blink of an eye. It uses powerful suction to snatch its prey. It is the fastest carnivorous plant.
Venus flytrap - It has a trapping structure formed by the terminal portion of each of the plant's leaves. Near the crease where the two leaf "jaws" join there is a series of tiny hairs. If an unwary insect walks across these hairs, touching two or more of them in succession, the leaf will close quickly enough to prevent its escape
So, the answer is “All of the above”.
Note: Insectivorous plants secrete digestive enzymes that dissolve the insect for absorption. Others have bacteria or mites in their digestive tract that mimic the functions of the human digestive tract. They digest the prey for absorption by the plants.