Vacuoles
Structure:
In plant cells, the vacuole takes up a lot of space. Sometimes they can even take up to 90% of the space. Vacuoles are usually formed by the fusion of many membrane vesicles. Due to this, they do not have any specific form or shape. Usually, many mature plant cells have one large vacuole. The vacuole is surrounded by a structure called the tonoplast, which serves as a membrane. The exact structure of a vacuole is very simple. It is composed of a membrane that surrounds a mass of fluid. The vacuole holds a fluid called cell sap, various salts and sugars, and soluble pigments. Although each cell usually has one vacuole, if it has more than one, they merge together and form a bigger vacuole. Thus pushing the cytoplasm, nucleus, and other structures towards the cell wall. Vacuoles are much larger in plant cells than in animal cells.
Function:
Vacuoles store nutrients and waste products. The vacuole can be thought of as a pocket for the cell because it holds onto things the cell may need. The waste products the vacuole contains are slowly broken down small enough so it cannot hurt the cell. The vacuole also contains powerful enzymes that are capable of destroying the cell, which comes in handy for apoptosis. The vacuole also aids in maintaining pH levels, turgor, and hrydrostatic pressure.
In plant cells, the vacuole takes up a lot of space. Sometimes they can even take up to 90% of the space. Vacuoles are usually formed by the fusion of many membrane vesicles. Due to this, they do not have any specific form or shape. Usually, many mature plant cells have one large vacuole. The vacuole is surrounded by a structure called the tonoplast, which serves as a membrane. The exact structure of a vacuole is very simple. It is composed of a membrane that surrounds a mass of fluid. The vacuole holds a fluid called cell sap, various salts and sugars, and soluble pigments. Although each cell usually has one vacuole, if it has more than one, they merge together and form a bigger vacuole. Thus pushing the cytoplasm, nucleus, and other structures towards the cell wall. Vacuoles are much larger in plant cells than in animal cells.
Function:
Vacuoles store nutrients and waste products. The vacuole can be thought of as a pocket for the cell because it holds onto things the cell may need. The waste products the vacuole contains are slowly broken down small enough so it cannot hurt the cell. The vacuole also contains powerful enzymes that are capable of destroying the cell, which comes in handy for apoptosis. The vacuole also aids in maintaining pH levels, turgor, and hrydrostatic pressure.
Other organelles related to it:
The tonoplast, which is the membrane of the vacuole, helps separate the contents of the vacuole from the contents of the cytoplasm. It also keeps the harmful substances from getting out of the vacuole. It offers support to leaves and other soft structures.
Extra:
In theory the roots of a plant should contain cells with a greater vacuole area in them to retain water and other nutrients from the soil. If the vacuoles do not work right, the cell would have a difficult time in storing things as well as keeping the necessary separated from the unnecessary. Over time vacuoles have evolved and now have the ability to keep pollution and other toxins out of the cell.