[Campbell Biology P.868] Which of the following statements accurately describes a key differ... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes a key difference between epiphytes and parasitic plants?

  • A: Epiphytes absorb nutrients from their host plants, while parasitic plants produce their own through photosynthesis.
  • B: Both epiphytes and parasitic plants typically anchor to living trees, but only epiphytes produce their own nutrients without tapping the host.
  • C: Parasitic plants are always non-photosynthetic, whereas epiphytes are always photosynthetic.
  • D: Epiphytes absorb water and minerals through their roots, while parasitic plants use haustoria for nutrient absorption.

Explanation

Epiphytes are defined as plants that grow on another plant, producing and gathering their own nutrients without tapping into the host for sustenance. They typically absorb water and minerals from rain, mostly through leaves. Parasitic plants, on the other hand, absorb water, minerals, and sometimes products of photosynthesis directly from their living hosts, often using specialized structures called haustoria. While many epiphytes are anchored to trees, and some parasitic plants are photosynthetic like mistletoe , the fundamental difference lies in whether they extract resources directly from the host.