Problem 4 - Campbell Biology Concepts & Connections

Question

By trapping insects, carnivorous plants obtain ________, which they need _______. (Choose the best answer.) a. water... because they live in dry soil b. nitrogen ... to make sugar c. phosphorus... to make protein d. nitrogen ... to make protein

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

d. nitrogen ... to make protein

Step 1: Understand the Context

Carnivorous plants are known to trap insects for specific nutrients they cannot obtain from their environment.

Step 2: Analyzing Answer Choices

Each answer choice suggests a different nutrient and reason the plants might need it.

Step 3: Eliminate Clearly Incorrect Options

Carnivorous plants do not trap insects for water. Thus, option a can be eliminated.

Step 4: Understanding Plant Needs

Plants primarily need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for growth. Sugar is produced via photosynthesis using sunlight, not obtained from insects.

Step 5: Matching Nutrient to Function

Nitrogen is essential for making protein, and it's the nutrient carnivorous plants obtain by trapping insects.

Step 6: Choose the Best Answer

Option d states 'nitrogen ... to make protein,' which matches the role of nitrogen in plant physiology.

Key Concepts

Nitrogen Acquisition

Carnivorous plants live in environments where the soil is often poor in nutrients, especially nitrogen. This nutrient is crucial for their growth, but they can't get enough of it from the soil. So, they have evolved to trap and digest insects to meet their nitrogen needs. The insects provide them with a source of nitrogen by supplying the amino acids that are broken down during digestion. This unique adaptation allows carnivorous plants to thrive in places where other plants might struggle. In short:

• Carnivorous plants obtain nitrogen from insects
• They digest insects to get amino acids
• This adaptation helps them live in nutrient-poor environments

This special method of obtaining nitrogen is necessary for their survival and growth.

Protein Synthesis

Nitrogen is a key element for protein synthesis in plants. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks essential for plant growth and development. Once carnivorous plants have digested insects and absorbed the amino acids, they use the nitrogen to produce their own proteins. These proteins play various roles such as:

• Enzymes, which speed up chemical reactions
• Structural proteins, which help build cell walls
• Regulatory proteins, which control different plant processes

Protein synthesis is fundamental to plant physiology. Without enough nitrogen to create these proteins, plants can't grow properly or function effectively.

Plant Physiology

Plant physiology involves the functions and processes that allow plants to live, grow, and reproduce. For carnivorous plants, getting nutrients like nitrogen is vital for their physiological processes. By capturing insects, they improve their ability to perform these functions. Essential processes influenced by nutrient acquisition include:

• Photosynthesis, which depends on proteins that contain nitrogen
• Growth and development, relying on protein for new cells and tissues
• Reproduction, as healthy plants can produce more seeds and offspring

Understanding how carnivorous plants acquire nutrients helps us appreciate the complex ways plants adapt to their environments to survive and thrive.