7. Plants are autotrophic. Can you think of some plants that are partially heterotrophic?
Plants are autotrophic organisms as they prepare their food materials by converting light energy into chemical energy. However, some plants can adopt the heterotrophic mode of nutrition for some specific requirements. For example, the Pitcher plant (Nepenthes) is green and autotrophic but it grows in nitrogen-deficient soil. So, to fulfill 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 performs photosynthesis and is carnivorous only for obtaining nitrogen, it is said to be partially heterotrophic.