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Insect haptoelectrical stimulation of Venus flytrap triggers exocytosis in gland cells

Supporting Information

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  • Download Movie_S01 (MP4) - MRI of a COR-stimulated flytrap. A Dionaea flytrap was stimulated for secretion by application of COR. In the following phases representing Dionaea’s hunting cycle, the trap transiently opens up wider and starts to produce fluid film. After that phase, the trap starts to close slowly, reaching a position similar to mechanically induced fast trap closure. In the final phase, the trap lobes seal hermetically and the emerging external stomach is filled by the digestive fluid.
  • Download Movie_S02 (MP4) - MRI of the Ca2+ channel blocker gadolinium reducing the extruded fluid volume of a stimulated flytrap. In the GdCl3 experiment, a Dionaea plant was placed and stimulated for secretion. The trap started to close and absorbed the gadolinium ions dissolved in the water. Due to the influence of the gadolinium on the longitudinal relaxation parameter, the signal in the stem increased significantly, showing the distribution of the contrast agent within the plant. When the Dionaea plant closed its trap lobes, no droplets of the digestive fluid could be detected on the trap’s surface. After 3 d, the signal derived from the Dionaea plant had deteriorated in such a way that no further MRI experiments were possible and no secreted fluid was detected in the trap.

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