Question

Cuscuta is an example of:

• A. Autotroph
• B. Parasite
• C. Saprotroph
• D. Host

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Parasite

The correct option is B.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Parasites grow on the body of other organisms and get nutrients from them.
2. Cuscuta is a stem parasite that wraps around the host plants and remains attached to them.
3. They do not have chlorophyll so can't make their own food.
4. They use the nutrients from host plants and weaken them.
5. They are also named dodder or amarbel.
6. Cuscuta is rootless and leafless.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option A:

1. Autotrophs can produce their food with the help of sunlight, oxygen, air, and water.
2. They are the primary producers.
3. Cuscuta gets nutrients from the host body.
4. It is not an example of autotroph.

Option C:

1. Saprotrophs grow and take nutrients from nonliving organic matters.
2. Bacteria and fungi are examples of saprotrophs.
3. Cuscuta usually thrives on other plants due to the absence of chlorophyll.
4. Cuscuta is not saprotroph.

Option D:

1. A host refers to such a plant upon which an organism lives on and subsists.
2. Cuscuta lives on the body of another host organism.
3. Also, they get nutrients from the host.
4. Hence, it is not a host, it is a parasitic plant.

Final answer: Cuscuta is an example of parasite.