What does vacuolated mean?

Answer 1

a vacuole is an awsome thing and find out yourself.

Answer 2

Vacuoles are membrane-encased cell organelles present in all plant and fungal cells, and some protist, animal and bacterial cells. Vacuoles are basically closed areas within the cell, filled with water and organic and inorganic molecules, such as various enzymes. In certain cases they also contain solids that have been engulfed. They are formed by the fusion of multiple membrane vesicles and in essence are a larger form of the same. The functions of vacuoles differ in reference to plant, fungal and protist, animal or bacterial cells. Functions performed in the former set [plant and fungal cells] being of more importance than functions performed in the latter.

The general functions of vacuoles include:

• Isolating materials that might be harmful or a threat to the cell
• Containing waste products
• Maintaining internal turgor [hydrostatic pressure]
• Maintaining an acidic internal pH
• Exporting unwanted substances from the cell
• Allows plants to support structures such as leaves and flowers due to the pressure of the central vacuole

Vacuoles also play a central role in autography, biogenesis and degradation of substances within certain plant cells. They also aid in destruction of invading bacteria or of disintegrated proteins that have begun to build up within the cell. In protists, vacuoles have the additional function of storing food which has been absorbed by the organism, and assist in the digestive and waste management process for the cell.

Vacuoles in Animal Cell Structure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Biological_cell_vacuole.svg

Vacuoles in Plant Cell Structure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plant_cell_structure_svg_vacuole.svg