Action Potential in the Trap-lobes of Aldrovanda vesiculosa

The trap of Aldrovanda vesiculosa, an aquatic insectivorousplant, consists of a pair of lobes (trap-lobes) which bordereach other at the midrib. The central portion of the lobe iscomposed of three cell layers, an inner and outer epidermisenclosing a single middle layer of relatively large cells, whereasthe marginal portion consists only of the two epidermal celllayers. Intracellular potentials of these cells were measuredby the microelectrode technique. All the cells of the lobeswere excitable and had identical membrane potentials at rest( –110 mV) and during action (amplitude, 130 mV). Theaction potential of each cell was elicited by bending a sensoryhair, one of many standing on the inner surface of the centralportion, or by injecting an outward current into another cellin the lobe. Action potentials were propagated throughout thetrap-lobes at a rate of about 8 cm/sec. The maximum rising ratewas 2.7 V/sec and the duration of the action potential was 1sec. (Received August 8, 1981; Accepted October 15, 1981)