Is photosynthesis really necessary to some plants?

We think that this is true for some plants. Such as the venus flytrap, The Venus Fly Trap is a very interesting example of a carniverous plant. Most plants get their nutrients from the soil, but the venus fly trap is able to get nutrients from the soil and any unfortunate insects that land in its trap. When an insect lands in the trap, the trap closes and the insect is slowly dissolved. The trap is held together by fingerlike cilia at its edges, making all but the smallest prisoner unable to escape.

The ability of the trap to detect a victim and close is a mystery since venus fly traps do not have a nervous system of any sort. The generally accepted theory is that pressure on the trap creates an electrical potential, which triggers a change in fluid pressure to shut the trap.

Once closed, the trap proceeds to secrete digestive juices that dissolve the inside parts of the insect or other creature. The digestive process typically takes a week or two, after which the trap opens and expels the leftover exoskeleton, which cannot be fully digested.