This Is How a Venus Flytrap Knows It’s Time to Snap Shut

The article explains how Venus flytraps, carnivorous plants, know when to snap shut their leaves to capture prey. The key mechanism behind this process is the movement of calcium ions within the plant's cells. When an insect or small animal touches the trigger hairs inside the trap, it causes an influx of calcium ions into the plant's cells. This influx initiates a rapid change in the cell's osmotic pressure, leading to a sudden contraction of the leaf's lobes and the trap snapping shut. The article further notes that the trap won't close unless at least two trigger hairs are touched within 20 seconds, ensuring the plant doesn't waste energy on false alarms. Once the trap is closed, the plant secretes digestive enzymes to break down the prey, absorbing the nutrients. The article highlights the intricate and efficient design of the Venus flytrap, which relies on the movement of calcium ions to detect and respond to environmental stimuli, demonstrating the remarkable adaptations of carnivorous plants.