Venus Flytrap Snap Mechanism Discovered

Scientists have uncovered the physical mechanism behind the Venus flytrap's rapid snapping action, a question that has puzzled researchers since Charles Darwin. The study, led by physicists Yoël_Forterre and Jeongeun Ryu from France — French National Centre for Scientific Research>>> and Aix-Marseille University, and published in Science (journal), reveals that the trap's closure is initiated by a rapid softening of the cell walls in the outer layer of the plant's trap. This new research challenges the century-old hypothesis that water redistribution within the leaf was the primary driver. Experiments conducted in Marseille used high-speed imaging and mechanical measurements to demonstrate that the cell walls become more flexible, releasing internal stresses and causing the trap to bend and close within about one second. This rapid change in cell wall mechanical properties is a novel finding in plants and could inspire future developments in soft robotics and smart materials. While some experts like Simon Poppinga, Johnson & Johnson, and Marilyn Ball praised the research, Sergey Shabala expressed skepticism regarding the speed of cell wall relaxation and alternative water transport mechanisms.