Question

Carnivorous plants digest small invertebrate animals. These animals are broken down by the plant's enzymes and the products are used to supplement the plant's supply of _________.

1. carbohydrates.
2. hydrogen.
3. oxygen.
4. nitrogen.
5. carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

Carnivorous plants supplement their supply of nitrogen by digesting invertebrates, as they typically grow in nutrient-poor soils where nitrogen is scarce.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carnivorous plants digest small invertebrate animals using their enzymes, and the products are used to supplement the plant's supply of nitrogen. Unlike heterotrophs, these plants do not derive carbohydrates from this digestion process, as they are photosynthetic autotrophs that produce their own food through photosynthesis. Instead, carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap and pitcher plant 'eat' to acquire mineral elements because they are often found in environments where the soil is nutrient-poor, particularly lacking in nitrogen, which is crucial for their survival.