Question

In Nepenthes plant, leaves are modified into

• A. Leaf tendrils for mechanical support
• B. Spines to reduce the loss of water
• C. Pitchers to trap the insects
• D. Fleshy leaves to store the food and water

Answer 1

The correct option is C Pitchers to trap the insects

A growth movement that occurs in response to an external stimulus that is not unidirectional but diffused is called as nastic or paratonic movement. These movements occur in bifacial structures like leaves, sepals, petals etc. Closure of lid of pitcher in a Nepenthes plant is a paratenic movement as the leaves snap shut when an insect prey enters into its trap looking for nectar. Thus the correct answer is 'Pitchers to trap the insects'.