Question

The origin of the predation ability of Venus flytraps is explained by

• A. Only those plants with the ability to supplement the poor nutrient content of their soils could survive.
• B. Predation allowed the Venus flytrap to outcompete other species because of its ability to move rapidly.
• C. As consumers instead of produces, Venus flytraps have greater access to better nutrients.
• D. Predation allowed the Venus flytrap to collect a wider variation of preformed organic materials.
• E. Better nutrients allowed the Venus flytrap to grow faster than other plants.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Only those plants with the ability to supplement the poor nutrient content of their soils could survive.

Venus flytraps are green plants that are found in a habitat where nitrogen is not freely available in the soil. These plants have modified leaves and they have a scent that attracts insects. Trigger hairs on the leaf surface are sensitive to touch and detect the arrival of an insect causing the leaf to fold. The interlocked insect is then digested by enzymes of the leaf. The insects serve as a source of nitrogen for these plants and the modification imparts the survival advantage to the plants under nitrogen-deficient soil. Thus, the correct answer is option A.