The function of Vacuoles in a Cell
How is this city like a cell?
They both need to store water and other materials.
Vacuoles store water and waste and other materials in eukaryotic cells. Remember these are cells with membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus.
Vacuoles are storage sacks in plants and animal cells protists but they are not found in
bacterial cells. In addition to storing water, vacuoles also store enzymes, waste, and even old damaged organelles.
Let's take a look at the difference between the vacuole in a plant and animal cell
On the left, you'll notice that the vacuole for the plant cell is very large. In fact, the vacuole may take up 40-80% of the plant cell’s volume.
Vacuoles are much smaller in animal cells and there are multiple vacuoles.
The vacuole in plants helps give the plant support.
The vacuoles regulate the turgor pressure which is the force within the cell that pushes the plasma membrane against the cell wall.
Some single-cell protists have what is called a contractile vacuole which opens and closes to regulate the amount of water inside the protist. Take a look at a contractile vacuole above.
In summary, a vacuole is used for the storage of water, waste, and other materials and helps regulate the amount of fluid inside a cell.
Related Links
Cell Transport that requires energy
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