Page 157 - Design in Nature

The section of the bladderwort and functioning
of the trap: 1- The prey touches the hairs of the
trap, 2- The trap opens immediately and the
prey enters inside, 3 - The gate closes behind
the prey.

First, the glands activate the extensions attached to them, which start
pumping the water out. A very important void forms in the plant. At the
mouth is a trap door that keeps water from coming inside. The hairs on
this trap are very sensitive to touch. When an insect or organism touches
these hairs, the trap
opens immediately.
Naturally, this creates a
strong flow of water
towards the inside of the
bladderwort. The trap
closes behind the prey in
a flash. Immediately
after this event, which
takes place within one
thousandth of a second,
the digestive glands start
releasing digestive
secretions. 52