What is The Function of The Vacuole? In general, living things have several organelles that work together and each organelle has different functions and roles according to its type and location. Well, for this time we will discuss about vacuole which is one of the organelle components that can be found in animal cells as well as plant cells.
This organelle component has many benefits and functions so that it becomes one of the organelle cells that has the most important function in the formation of the part that is in the organelle. Vacuole can be found in all plants but only in certain animals can be found.
Vacuole is a cell organelle that contains fluid bordered by thin membranes. The content in the liquid varies depending on the cell type and metabolism, generally containing water soluble substances such as salts, alkaloids, amino acids, glucose, etc. In plant cells, the size of the vacuole is so large that it meets the cytoplasm. While in animal cells, the size of the vacuole is not significant.
In vegetative plant organs, vacuole acts in combination with cell walls to produce turgor pressure, the driving force for hydraulic rigidity and growth. In the seeds and special storage tissues, vacuole serves as a site for storing backup proteins and soluble carbohydrates. In this way, vacuole serves the physical and metabolic functions that are important for planting life.
What is The Function of The Vacuole?
Vacuole is an important component of plant cells, fungi, and animals. The main responsibility of the vacuole is to keep the turgor pressure in the cell. Different vacuole functions are listed below. Vacuole is an important organelle present in plant cells, animals, Protistas, fungi and bacteria. Aside from water, vacuole also contains different types of organic / inorganic molecules, solid materials and enzymes. Vacuole is a type of large vesicles.
Here are some vacuole functions:
Regulate the osmotic properties of cells
Osmosis is a phenomenon that refers to the travel of liquids through semipermeable membranes, as occurs in cells, that membranes allow the passing of water and other substances.
It should be noted that vacuole regulates the travel of these substances, retains substances they consider dangerous and metabolizes other substances.
Storing substances
Vacuole enables the storage of various substances that are important to cells, such as food, water, ions, minerals, nutrients, enzymes, plant pigments, and beneficial bacteria for cells.
In the same way, vacuole makes it possible to store waste cells, as well as isolated materials that can be harmful.
Helps keep the pressure inside the cell (turgor)
Turgor is a phenomenon that occurs when cells swell due to the strength given by internal fluids.
This phenomenon results in excessive pressure on the cell walls. Vacuole releases part of this pressure using water (hydrostatic pressure), which helps maintain cell and plant stiffness.
Other functions
- Isolates hazardous materials for cells.
- Accumulate metabolic waste so that other organelle is not badly affected by the waste.
- Store inorganic ion reserves.
- Stores food reserves such as protein, amylum, potassium, chloride, and glucose.
- Remove unwanted structural debris.
- Helps determine the age of the plants. The larger the vacuole in plant cells, the older the plant ages.
- Maintain the pH level.
- Store the pigment so that it gives color to flowers, fruit, and leaves.
- It plays a role in the autophagy process, which is the process of catabolism of solving cell components that are no longer needed.
- Controlling the inside and out of the water via active transport.
- Stores toxins in several types of plants to protect them from herbivorous animals.
- Strengthens young cells.
- Sometimes it contains hydrolytic enzymes that act as lysosomes. After the cell dies, the tonoplast loses the differential properties of the permeable so that its enzymes come out which causes autolysis (self-destruction).
- As a place to store essential oils that gives a distinctive aroma, such as eucalyptus oil.
Thank you very much for reading What is The Function of The Vacuole? Hopefully useful.
