Question

The ability of the Venus Flytrap to capture insects is due to:

• A. Rapid turgor pressure changes
• B. A passive process requiring no special ability on the part of the plant
• C. Specialized "muscle -like" cells
• D. Chemical stimulation by the prey

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Rapid turgor pressure changes

The leaf trap in a Venus fly trap uses a complex series of steps to trap any insect that lands on it. Much of this process is still poorly understood. However, what we do know is that when a fly sits on the leaf, there are touch-sensitive hairs that trigger an electrical potential. This potential cause several changes which result in the movement of ions inside the cells of the leaf. Inflow of water in the cells follows which results in their becoming turgid. This causes the shutting of the trap.