Touch Receptor of Venus Flytrap, Dionaea muscipula

Numerous small structures (stellate trichomes) 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 sensitiv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 152; no. 3721; pp. 539 - 540
Main Authors:	DiPalma, Joseph R., McMichael, Robert, DiPalma, Maria
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	American Association for the Advancement of Science 22-04-1966
Subjects:	Action potentials Hair Muscle spindles Receptors Sense of touch Trichomes
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Numerous small structures (stellate trichomes) 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 suggests that these structures act as touch sensors or receptors.
ISSN:	0036-8075 1095-9203
DOI:	10.1126/science.152.3721.539