Venus Fly Trap: The Carniverous Plant

 

 Venus flytraps have fascinated but stumped biologists for centuries and still remain quite a mystery. These plants have now been seen taking part in gene expression, protein secretion, and ultrastructural changes during certain stimulation. In a Venus flytrap, normal plant defense systems which are historically known to protect plants from being eaten, are also used by these carnivorous flytraps for insect feeding. Researchers have confirmed that all substances were actively secreted using proteomic screening of the flytrap's digestive fluids. Electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructure of the plants glands to discover specialized cell layers used in active secretion, nutrient transport, lipid energy stores, and protein biosynthesis necessary for trap function all of which are thought to be transformed over the years in order to adapt these Venus flytraps from normal plants into carnivorous beings.

This article seems to be very meek on detail. We have been studying these plants for how long and this is all the information they have managed to scrounge up? Also, the reference in this article to the adaptation of this carnivorous feature seems unfounded due to the paleontologic findings of prehistoric carnivorous plant species. If these plants have existed in the past why is it that they are considered a new species and not a relative of the once abundant carnivorous plants of yesteryear? With all of our resources you would think the author of this article could have found more substantial evidence to determine the reasoning for these adaptations or gene expressions. All this article did was leave me with more unanswered questions than answered ones.