How the flytrap snaps
Forterre and colleagues showed the trap closes by a rapid snap-through of its curved leaf shape.
As reported in: Forterre, Skotheim, Dumais et al. (2005). How the Venus flytrap snaps. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature03185
Venus flytrap mechanics: uses in research
Also: Dionaea muscipula, carnivorous plants, snap-through
The Venus flytrap shuts in a fraction of a second by snapping its curved leaves, and it counts touches before digesting prey. It inspires soft robots and fast-moving materials.
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Timeline
- 2005 How the flytrap snaps
- 2016 The flytrap counts
Readiness: lab lab studies · prototype demonstrated objects · commercial products or buildings in real use · review summaries of other studies.
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biology
The flytrap counts
Böhm and colleagues found the flytrap counts trigger-hair signals to decide when to close and start digesting prey.
As reported in: Böhm, Scherzer, Krol et al. (2016). The Venus Flytrap Dionaea muscipula Counts Prey-Induced Action Potentials to Induce Sodium Uptake. Current Biology. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.11.057