Question

Are insectivorous plants considered autotrophs or heterotrophs?

Answer 1

1. Insectivorous plants are both autotrophs and heterotrophs as they can photosynthesize but the soil in which they grow is nitrogen deficient.so they capture insects for obtaining nitrogen.​
2. Insectivorous plants are also called as carnivores. Like all other plants, carnivores are green and carry the process of photosynthesis.
3. They capture the solar energy and prepare the carbohydrates. But they eat insects as a subsidy to gain nutrients such as nitrogen.
4. This is due to the fact that these plants live in soils where available nitrogen is poor.
5. If the carnivores are grown in an environment where nitrogen is available in the soil, the plants can survive autonomously.
6. Thus said, Carnivores are facultative heterotrophs, as they can grow as autotrophs in ideal conditions, and it can also get its necessary nutrients from other organisms in its typical habitat.