7. Plants are autotrophic. Can you think of some plants that are partially heterotrophic?
Plants are autotrophic organisms as they prepare their own food materials by converting light energy into chemical energy. However, there are plants which can adopt the heterotrophic mode of nutrition for some specific requirements. For example, Pitcher plant (Nepenthes) is green and autotrophic but it grows in nitrogen deficient soil. So, in order to fulfil its nitrogen needs, it preys upon insects. The leaf of Nepenthes is modified into a pitcher like structure. In this structure, insects get trapped and are digested by strong digestive enzymes present in it. Since here plant is performing photosynthesis and itis carnivorous only for obtaining nitrogen, it is said to be partially heterotrophic.