Sensing and closing mechanism for Venus Flytrap: Theoretical and experimental studies

This paper investigates the nano-scale sensing and closing mechanism of the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). A novel mathematical model has been proposed to explain the phenomenon of trap closure. The model takes into account the need for two mechanical stimulations of the trigger hair within 20-30 s to generate trap closure. The ultrastructure of the lower trap surface was also examined using atomic force microscopy to elucidate the nano-scale structures. In vivo experiments were conducted to confirm that both strong jets of air and water were able to mechanically bend the trigger hair, thus leading to the generation of an action potential and trap closure. Experiments using jets of air from a compressed air canister and jets of water from a syringe were able to flex the trigger hair as observed with a stereoscope connected to a HD video camera. The flexure of the trigger hair initiated closure in all experiments.