Scientists discover Venus flytrap snaps shut through rapid cell wall softening
Researchers have identified the mechanism behind the Venus flytrap's rapid snap: cells on the outer surface of the trap soften by 30-40%, releasing stored mechanical stress and causing the trap to close in less than a second. This finding resolves a century-old scientific debate about whether water redistribution or cell wall changes drove the trap's closure. The discovery could inform understanding of plant mechanics and inspire designs for soft robots that respond to material stiffness changes.
A new study published in Science has revealed that the Venus flytrap's famous rapid closure is driven by a sudden softening of cell walls in the outer epidermal layer of the trap, rather than by water redistribution as previously hypothesized. Using high-speed imaging, mechanical measurements, and mechanical modeling, researchers led by physicist Yoël Forterre at Aix-Marseille University found that the trap's outer cells soften by approximately 30-40% within about one second of being triggered, releasing internal stresses stored in the tissue and causing the hinged leaf lobes to snap shut in as little as one-tenth of a second. This mechanism—rapid cell wall softening on a one-second timescale—has not been previously observed in plants, as cell wall relaxation typically occurs much more slowly during normal plant growth. The finding settles a question that has intrigued scientists since Charles Darwin, and researchers suggest the discovery could have practical applications in designing responsive soft robots and understanding fundamental plant processes.
What different sources said
- Nature NewsCenter
Revealed: how Venus flytraps snap shut with astonishing speed
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Scientists unlock the secret behind the Venus flytrap's snap
- CNACenter
Scientists unlock the secret behind the Venus flytrap's snap
Mechanism that makes Venus flytraps snap uncovered, study claims
- The GuardianLeft
Scientists reveal surprising mechanism behind Venus flytrap’s rapid snap
- New ScientistCenter
Have we finally worked out how Venus flytraps snap shut?
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