QUESTION: Which of the following is not a function of vacuole?
A Storage
B Providing turgidity and rigidity to the cell
C Waste excretion
D Locomotion
ANSWER: Locomotion
| Vacuole | Animal Cell | Plant Cell |
| Definition | · Membrane-bound organelles within animal cells that contain various substances | · Membrane-bound organelles within plant cells that store water, nutrients, and waste products |
| Location | · Dispersed throughout the cytoplasm | · Often one large central vacuole is present that occupy a significant portion of the cell’s volume |
| Size and number | · Typically smaller and fewer in number as compared to plant cells | · Larger and more prominent, often one large central vacuole per cell |
| Structure | · Relatively simple structure, often smaller in size | · Complex structure with membrane layers, tonoplast and various compartments |
| Function | · Storage · Excretion · Maintaining cell shape | · Storage of water · Nutrients · Pigments · Waste products |
| Turgidity and rigidity | · Not applicable | · Key role in maintaining cell turgor pressure |
| Nutrient Storage capacity | · Limited nutrient storage capacity | · Can store significant amounts of nutrients, especially in seeds |
| Role in growth | · No direct role in cell growth and expansion | · Essential for cell growth and enlargement |
| Digestive Functions | · Lysosomes primarily handle digestive functions | · Can have digestive roles for waste products and cellular components |
| Contractile vacuoles | · Present in some freshwater unicellular organisms to expel excess water | · Absent |
| Role in detoxification | · Limited detoxification capacity | · Can participate in detoxifying harmful compounds |
| Reproduction | · No significant role in reproduction | · Can be involved in storing reproductive structures and nutrients |
| Presence of Tonoplast | · Tonoplast which is the membrane around vacuole is absent | · Tonoplast is present, separating vacuolar contents from cytoplasm |
| Role in Photosynthesis | · Not involved in photosynthesis | · Can participate in storing pigments for photosynthesis |