7th Class Science Nutrition in Plants Nutrition in Non Green Plants (Without Chlorophyll)

         Nutrition in a Non Green Plants (without chlorophyll)

We have studied about the involvement of chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis. Whole process of photosynthesis depends on the presence of chlorophyll in the plant. The process of photosynthesis in general condition is not possible without chlorophyll.

However, there are many plants in our surrounding which do not have chlorophyll such as, cuscuta, monotropa, etc. They all depend on heterotrophic mode of nutrition such as, saprophytic, parasitic and insectivorous.

           Saprophytes

Saprophytic plants live and grow on dead and decaying organic matters. It secretes enzyme to break down the complex organic compound into its simpler form for the absorption.

Look at the following picture of non-green (saprophytic) plants:    

         Monotropa

        Parasitic

The plant which absorbs nutrition from its host plant is called parasite. Parasitic plants do not have either chlorophyll or leaves. Hence, they cannot perform the process of photosynthesis. They absorb nutrients made by the host plant and is fully dependent on host plant to meet that need.

Look at the following picture of parasitic plant:

             Cuscuta    

          Insectivorous Plant

Some plants eat insects are called insectivorous plant. Pitcher of a pitcher plant traps insects and internal structure of pitcher break down the insects into small pieces which is digested by digestive juice secretes by the pitcher.

Look at the following picture of pitcher plant:

    Pitcher Plant  

           Symbiotic Relationship

When two plants live together and share their food and shelter for each other, these relationship between the plants are known as symbiotic relationship. Fungi and roots of almost all vascular plants form mutualistic association called mycorrhizae.

Look at the following picture of lichen on a pine tree:

   Symbiotic plants    

      What is the function of root of a green plant?

(a) It absorbs water and mineral from soil

(b) It absorbs oxygen from air

(c) It absorbs carbon dioxide from air

(d) All of these

(e) None of these

Answer: (a)

Explanation Root of a green plant absorbs water and mineral from soil.

      Which one of the following is an insectivorous plant?

(a) Cactus plant

(b) Babool plant

(c) Pitcher plant

(d) All of these

(e) None of these

Answer: (c)

Explanation Out of the given plants, pitcher plant is an insectivorous plant.

Green plants make their own food by the process of photosynthesis.

Non green plants depend on green plants for their nutritional needs.

Sugar is the by-product of the process of photosynthesis.

Stomata in the plant traps solar energy.

Xylem tissues transport water and minerals throughout the plant.

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