A vacuole is a membrane-bound cell organelle found within the cytoplasm of both plant and animal cells. It's essentially an enclosed compartment filled with water containing various substances, including enzymes in solution. In animal cells, vacuoles are generally small and help sequester waste products. However, in plant cells, they play a crucial role in maintaining water balance and can even occupy most of the cell's interior space.
Here are some key points about vacuoles:
- Structure: Vacuoles are surrounded by a single membrane called the tonoplast.
- Function: Their primary functions include storage, waste disposal, and maintaining cell turgor (rigidity).
- Size: Vacuoles can vary greatly in size, ranging from small vesicles to large, central vacuoles dominating plant cells.
- Content: They can contain a wide range of substances, including water, ions, pigments, and enzymes.
