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Article Addendum

Plant electrical memory

Alexander G. Volkov, Holly Carrell, Tejumade Adesina, Vladislav S. Markin and Emil Jovanov

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Electrical signaling, short-term memory and rapid closure of the carnivorous plant Dionaea muscipula Ellis (Venus flytrap) have been attracting the attention of researchers since the XIX century. We found that the electrical stimulus between a midrib and a lobe closes the Venus flytrap upper leaf without mechanical stimulation of trigger hairs. The closing time of Venus flytrap by electrical stimulation is the same as mechanically induced closing. Transmission of a single electrical charge between a lobe and the midrib causes closure of the trap and induces an electrical signal propagating between both lobes and midrib. The Venus flytrap can accumulate small subthreshold charges, and when the threshold value is reached, the trap closes. Repeated application of smaller charges demonstrates the summation of stimuli. The cumulative character of electrical stimuli points to the existence of short-term electrical memory in the Venus flytrap.

Authors

Alexander G. Volkov

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Oakwood University; Huntsville, Alabama USA

Holly Carrell

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Oakwood University; Huntsville, Alabama USA

Tejumade Adesina

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Oakwood University; Huntsville, Alabama USA

Vladislav S. Markin

Department of Neurology; University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, Texas USA

Emil Jovanov

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department; University of Alabama in Huntsville; Huntsville, Alabama USA

Purchase article for $19

Subscribe to this journal for $79/year