Question

Identify the following:

(i) Mode of nutrition
(ii) Role of roots called haustoria

from the yellow coloured plant shown in the image.

• A. (i) Parasitic; (ii) To absorb oxygen from host.
• B. (i) Autotrophic; (ii) To absorb water and food from host plants.
• C. (i) Parasitic; (ii) To absorb water and food from host plants.
• D. (i) Autotrophic; (ii) To exchange gases and nutrients.

Answer 1

The correct option is C (i) Parasitic; (ii) To absorb water and food from host plants.

Some plants like cuscuta (dodder) have yellow wire-like stems. They are leafless and are unable to carry out photosynthesis. They have sucking roots called haustoria. These plants are parasitic in nature and depend on other (host) plants for their food. The sucking (haustorial) roots in such plants help them in absorbing nutrients i.e., water and food by penetrating into the conducting vessels of host plants.