10 Questions
How is the closure of the Venus flytrap trap achieved?
The trap closes when calcium ion channels in cells at the base of the sensory hairs are activated, leading to a generation of receptor potential and subsequent action potentials traveling across the trap.
What causes the lobes of the Venus flytrap leaf to quickly become concave when the trap is triggered?
The release of elastic tension in the cell walls causes the lobes to bend downwards and the trap to shut.
How does the Venus flytrap absorb nutrients from its prey?
Further stimulation of the sensory hairs leads to calcium ions entering gland cells, stimulating the exocytosis of vesicles containing digestive enzymes for nutrient absorption.
What is the purpose of the stiff sensory hairs on the Venus flytrap?
The stiff sensory hairs on the Venus flytrap respond to being touched by insects to trigger action potentials.
How does the trap closure mechanism of the Venus flytrap work?
When an insect touches the sensory hairs with enough force, action potentials are stimulated, causing the two lobes to fold together along the midrib.
What role do calcium ions play in the trap closure of the Venus flytrap?
Calcium ions are involved in the transmission of action potentials that trigger the closure of the Venus flytrap lobes.
What is the role of calcium ions in the closure mechanism of a Venus flytrap?
Calcium ions enter the cytoplasm of the chemoreceptor cell and stimulate exocytosis of vesicles containing neurotransmitter from the basal membrane of the chemoreceptor.
How does nutrient absorption occur in a Venus flytrap?
Nutrient absorption in a Venus flytrap happens through the stimulation of an action potential in the sensory neurone, which then transmits an impulse to the brain.
Explain the digestion process in a Venus flytrap.
The digestion process in a Venus flytrap involves the exocytosis of vesicles containing neurotransmitter from the basal membrane of the chemoreceptor, which stimulates an action potential in the sensory neurone.
What are the chemoreceptors in a Venus flytrap sensitive to?
The chemoreceptors in a Venus flytrap are sensitive to chemicals in food and drinks.
Study Notes
The Venus Flytrap Mechanism
- The closure of the Venus flytrap trap is achieved through a rapid change in the curvature of the leaf lobes, from convex to concave, triggered by the stimulation of sensory hairs.
Trap Closure Mechanism
- The trap closure is triggered by the bending of two or more of the stiff sensory hairs on the leaf, which activates the trap to shut in about 0.1 seconds.
- The rapid closure is caused by a rapid change in the turgor pressure within the leaves, driven by the movement of ions and water into the leaf cells.
Nutrient Absorption
- The Venus flytrap absorbs nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, from the digested bodies of its prey, mainly insects.
- The leaves produce digestive enzymes to break down the insect bodies, and the resulting nutrient-rich soup is then absorbed through the leaf surface.
Sensory Hairs and Chemoreceptors
- The stiff sensory hairs on the Venus flytrap leaf are sensitive to mechanical stimuli, such as the movement of prey, and trigger the trap closure when bent.
- The chemoreceptors in the Venus flytrap are sensitive to the chemical composition of the prey, allowing the plant to distinguish between living and non-living substances.
Role of Calcium Ions
- Calcium ions play a crucial role in the trap closure mechanism of the Venus flytrap, as they help to regulate the turgor pressure within the leaves and facilitate the rapid closure of the trap.
Test your knowledge on the adaptations and closure mechanism of a Venus flytrap. Learn how the trap achieves closure and the role of calcium ion channels and receptor potentials in this process.
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