Closing of Venus Flytrap by Electrical Stimulation of Motor Cells

Molecular Electronics of theDionaea muscipulatrap

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The existence of different forms of plant memory is well known. 7 Depending on the duration of memory retention, there are three types of memory in plants: sensory memory, short term memory and long term memory.…”

Plants on the move: Towards common mechanisms governing mechanically-induced plant movements

“…48 As in legume pulvini, the movement of the Venus flytrap lobes is caused by changes in cell volume of opposing tissue groups by differential water flow linked to ion fluxes. 45 Nevertheless, despite the fact that researchers have investigated the mechanisms by which the trap closes so fast, only in the past 6 y, the dynamic of the movement started to become more clear, notably thanks to Forterre et al and Volkov et al 43,44,46,[50][51][52][53] Forterre et al divided the Venus flytrap movement into two components: an active biochemical component, pertinent to the mechanisms causing microscopic changes, and a passive elastic component, which is the macroscopic closing process determined by the doubly-curved leaf. A difference in turgor pressure constantly maintained between the upper and the lower cell layers of the leaf provides elastic curvature energy storage locked in the leaves.…”

“…46 D. muscipula can also perceive artificial electrical signals and can be stimulated to close the trap with the same speed as when mechanical stimulation is applied. 44,50 Furthermore, it was demonstrated that this plant has a short-term electrical memory by the fact that it can accumulate previously applied small electrical charges, closing the trap when a threshold value is reached. 51,52 Species from the carnivorous plant genera Drosera and Pinguicula have sticky, highly modified colorful leaves that are capable to move acting like small insect traps (Fig.…”

“…[41][42][43] An insect, attracted to the red center of the lobe and to the UV reflective glands, touches the trigger hairs activating mechanical sensitive ion channels that generate an action potential that activates the Dionaea motor cells. 44 The action potential, characterized by a large transient depolarization, allows the rapid transmission of information via plasmodesmata or conductive bundles. 44 The leaves snap together in a fraction of a second confining the insect, but maintaining the angle between the lobes and the middle of the midrib.…”

“…44 The action potential, characterized by a large transient depolarization, allows the rapid transmission of information via plasmodesmata or conductive bundles. 44 The leaves snap together in a fraction of a second confining the insect, but maintaining the angle between the lobes and the middle of the midrib. 45,46 Analyzing the ultrastructure of the trigger hairs, three metabolic active cell regions could be distinguished: indentation, anticlinal and podium.…”