QQuestionAnatomy and Physiology
QuestionAnatomy and Physiology
In three sentences, explain the function of a vacuole in plant cells.
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Answer
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Step 1: Defining the Vacuole
A vacuole is a membrane-bound organelle found primarily in plant cells that serves multiple critical functions. It acts as a storage compartment for water, nutrients, waste products, and other cellular materials, helping maintain the cell's structural integrity and overall balance.
Step 2: Storage and Structural Role
The vacuole plays a crucial role in maintaining cell turgor pressure, which provides structural support for plant tissues and enables plants to stand upright without a skeletal system. By storing water and dissolved substances, the vacuole creates internal pressure that helps keep plant cells rigid and supports plant growth.
Final Answer
A vacuole is a large, membrane-enclosed compartment in plant cells that stores water and nutrients, provides structural support through turgor pressure, and helps manage cellular waste and pH balance, playing a vital role in plant cell function and survival.
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