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Name: Sarah
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Question:
How does the Venus Fly Trap move without the use of muscle cells?


Replies:
Dear Sarah,

The closing of the trap is triggered by tiny hairs and turgid (water) pressure in the leaves.
http://www.rdrop.com/users/mvz/plants.htm#diona

Sincerely,

Anthony R. Brach

It moves through the osmosis of water in individual cells. Some become more filled with water and others less filled and this puts pressure in different places in the plant. This is controlled by hormones in the plant.

Van Hoeck

The cells that are responsible for the movement of this plant are govern by a chemical reaction and a series of rapid water movement in and out of cells. The same mechanism that keeps celery crisp. Water balloons the cells to a rigid condition and when the water leaves the cell the cell becomes limp. Much like wilting of a plant. If you want a more technical term, it would be osmosis and osmotic pressure differences.

Steve Sample


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