Some of the major function preformed by vacuoles in all cell organisms are as follows:
Vacuole is an important organelle which is present in the cells of plants, animals, protests, fungi and bacteria see Fig. 2.8.
These cell organelles along with water contain different organic/inorganic molecules.
Vacuoles used to contain a variety of enzymes. Apart from water and inorganic/organic molecules, different kinds of solid materials (in an engulfed form) are also present in vacuoles. This organelle can be described as kind of large vesicles.
This is because; multiple membrane vesicles together form this cell organelle. The vacuoles have an important role in plant and protest cells when compared to that of animal and bacterial cells. The vacuole is considered as a storage bin of cells. It is also one of the important organelles other than cell nucleus.
There are many different functions carried out by vacuoles and which are enlisted below:
(i) Waste products generated in cells are accumulated in vacuoles. Storage of waste products in vacuoles protects other cell organelles from their harmful effects.
(ii) Maintaining the right pH level also is one of the functions of this cell organelle. An acidic internal pH is maintained by vacuoles.
(iii) Apart from pH maintenance, turgor and hydrostatic pressure is also maintained in the cells by these organelles.
(iv) There are certain substances generated in cells which have the potential to harm/disturb the health of cells. Vacuoles carry out the crucial job of isolating these harmful substances.
(v) Unwanted materials present in cells are removed by vacuoles.
(vi) Vacuoles play an important role in the process of autophagy. A balance between biogenesis and degradation of substances of cells is maintained during this process by the vacuoles.
(vii) Vacuoles are known to protect the cells from certain bacteria. Destroying the invading bacteria is an important function of these cell organelles.
(viii) The food vacuoles found in amoeba perform the task of digestion. Food ingested by amoeba is digested with the help of this organ.
(ix) The function of vacuole in animal cells is not much important in comparison to that in plant cells.