Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 22 April 1966:
Vol. 152. no. 3721, pp. 539 - 540
DOI: 10.1126/science.152.3721.539
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Touch Receptor of Venus Flytrap, Dionaea muscipula

Joseph R. DiPalma 1, Robert McMichael 1, and Maria DiPalma 1

1 Department of Pharmacology, Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Numerous small structures (stellate trichomnes) protrude from the surface of marginal hairs, outer leaf surface, and stem of Dionaea muscipula Ellis. None are present inside the trap. Mechanical stimulation causes small action potentials and eventual closure of the trap, independently of the sensitive trigger hairs. Subthreshold stimulation of these structures appears to sensitize the trigger hairs and facilitate closure of the trap. This suiggests that these structures act as touch sensors or receptors.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Biologically Closed Electrical Circuits in Venus Flytrap.
A. G. Volkov, H. Carrell, and V. S. Markin (2009)
Plant Physiology 149, 1661-1667
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Kinetics and Mechanism of Dionaea muscipula Trap Closing.
A. G. Volkov, T. Adesina, V. S. Markin, and E. Jovanov (2008)
Plant Physiology 146, 694-702
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)