WORD OF THE WEEK
Oct 23, 2020
4 minutes
SCIENCE
Scientists discover the secrets of Venus flytraps
A TEAM of Japanese researchers have discovered how Venus flytraps know when to close.
The tiny plant catches its prey – flies – by shutting its two leaves when a fly lands on it. But it somehow knows not to close for just any trigger, such as a drop of water falling on its leaves.
Scientists say the plant is “smart” enough not to close when one of the trigger hairs on the inside of the leaves is touched just once. But when the same trigger hair is touched in rapid succession, the
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