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A vacuole is a membrane bound organelle which is present in all plant and fungal cells and some protist, animal and bacterial cells. Vacuoles are essentially enclosed compartments which are filled with water containing inorganic and organic molecules including enzymes in solution, though in certain cases they may contain solids which have been engulfed. Vacuoles are formed by the fusion of multiple membrane vesicles and are effectively just larger forms of these. The organelle has no basic shape or size, its structure varies according to the needs of the cell.

The function and importance of vacuoles varies greatly according to the type of cell in which they are present, having much greater prominence in the cells of plants, fungi and certain protists than those of animals and bacteria. In general, the functions of the vacuole include:

  • Isolating materials that might be harmful or a threat to the cell
  • Containing waste products
  • Maintaining internal hydrostatic pressure or turgor within the cell
  • Maintaining an acidic internal pH
  • Containing small molecules
  • 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 major role in autophagy, maintaining a balance between biogenesis (production) and degradation (or turnover), of many substances and cell structures in certain organisms. They also aid in destruction of invading bacteria or of misfolded 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.

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Related Questions

Are vacuoles present in animal cells and what is their function within the cell?

Yes, vacuoles are present in animal cells. Their main function is to store nutrients, waste products, and maintain the cell's shape and structure.


Where are vacuoles in an animal cell?

An animal cell doesn't have vacuoles.


What is the function of the vacuoles in the plant cell?

The vacuole in a plant cell is the same as in an animal cell, it is used as storage.


How many vacuoles are found in a cell?

The number of vacuoles in a cell can vary depending on the cell type and its function. Typically, plant cells have one or more large central vacuoles, while animal cells may have smaller and fewer vacuoles scattered throughout the cell.


How do the vacuoles in animal cell differ from those in plant cells?

Vacuoles in a plant cell are bigger than animal cell vacuoles. In fact, some animal cells don't even have vacuoles.


How are plant vacuoles from animal vacuoles?

Plant cell vacuole is larger then animal cell vacuole


What is function of a vacuole in an animal cell?

Vacuoles are the storage center for food, water, and waste products.


What is the difference between plant and animal vacoules?

Plant vacuoles are larger and more central in the cell, while animal vacuoles are smaller and scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Plant vacuoles mainly store water, nutrients, and waste products, while animal vacuoles primarily function in intracellular digestion and waste elimination.


What is the function of contactile vacuoles?

function of cell


Do animal cells have a vacuole?

Yes, animal cells do have vacuoles, but they are smaller and less prominent compared to plant cells. Vacuoles in animal cells primarily function to store waste and maintain cell shape.


Is vacuoles found in an animal cell or in animal cell?

both


Does a animal cell have a vacuole?

Yes, animal cells do have vacuoles, but they are smaller and less prominent compared to plant cells. Vacuoles in animal cells primarily function in storage, waste management, and maintaining the cell's internal environment.