Question

What animal characteristics would be needed by an imaginary plant that could chase, capture, and digest its prey—yet could also extract nutrients from soil and conduct photosynthesis?

Short answer

In order to chase and capture the prey, the imaginary plant would require tissue analogous to muscles and nerves for coordination. To digest the captured prey, the plant would be able to release enzymes, either within the body (for internal digestion) or outside the body (for external digestion).

The extraction of nutrients from the soil is controlled by roots; for plants to have mobility and the potential to get nutrients from the soil, the imaginary plant must have retractable roots or the ability to consume soil. The presence of chloroplast will be required for photosynthesis conduction.

Step-by-step solution

Plants

The eukaryotic organisms which independently prepare food for themselves are denoted with the term plants. The mechanism of photosynthesis is responsible for food production, and other essential nutrients are obtained through the soil.

Plants are immobile, and the roots hold them in position. The roots also account for water and nutrient absorption for soil layers.

Animals characteristics

Animals are another group of eukaryotes, but they show contrasting characters with plants. The cell structure of animals and plants has several differences, including the absence of cell walls in animal cells.

Animals can move, and they are dependent upon plants for food. Apart from these, nutritional needs in plants are fulfilled solely through digesting food.

Plant adaptations for attaining animal functions.

The activity of chasing and capturing prey is found in animals. For an imaginary plant, performing these functions would require cells that function similarly to the muscle cells and nerve cells. The development of these analogous cells would help in chasing and capturing prey.

The captured prey is ingested and digested for obtaining nutrients; for this function, the plant would require cells that can secrete digestive enzymes either inside a visceral digestive cavity or in the external regions of the body.

Along with these functions, if the imaginary plant requires the ability to photosynthesize and absorb nutrients from the soil, it must have chloroplasts (for photosynthesis) and retractable roots. A mechanism for ingesting soil could also be found in place of roots.