Metabolites involved in plant movement and ‘memory’: nyctinasty of legumes and trap movement in the Venus flytrap

Abstract

Covering: the literature up to 2006

The bioorganic basis of plant movement in two plant systems is described in this article: the circadian rhythmic leaf movement known as nyctinasty and trap movement in the Venus flytrap. The bioactive substances responsible for plant movement, the chemical mechanism of the rhythm, and studies on the key protein controlling nyctinasty are presented. The article also discusses the isolation of the “memory” substance from the Venus flytrap and presents a mechanism for this action.