Ghost plant is a parasitic plant species that has no chlorophyll and cannot perf
ID: 161711 • Letter: G
Question
Ghost plant is a parasitic plant species that has no chlorophyll and cannot perform photosynthesis. These plants have a complex chain of parasitism that ultimately results in ghost plants receiving (“stealing”) sugars produced by another photosynthetic plant species. Importantly, evolutionary biologists have discovered that ghost plants are descended from photosynthetic ancestors that had chlorophyll.
Make sure to include all the components required for a properly constructed and cohesive NATURAL SELECTION explanation.
if you don't know what is natural selection, please don't give me a guess!
Explanation / Answer
Natural selection: natural selection is a process by which species which are better adapted to the environment grow more. As a result, they have more reproductive fitness in comparison to their counterparts. In due course of evolution, they tend to evolve, eliminating their counterparts from the population.
In this study, ghost plants have been taken as an example of natural selection. Ghost plants (Graptopetalum paraguayense) are one of the best studied examples of natural selection. These plants are succulents, i.e. they store water inside them. They do not have chlorophyll still it is very easy to grow them. Plant lovers grow these plants in their houses and it is easiest for them to grow these.
Parasitic plants derive their nutritional requirements from some other host plants. They have a modified organ, known as haustorium; this organ enables them to derive nutrition from the host plant.
Development of haustorium, allowed these plants to easily survive natural selection (in the course of evolution). They did not have chlorophyll; but whatever was required for growth, was obtained from their host.
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