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The Importance of Vacuoles
A vacuole is a membrane-bound sac that is essential for many Eukaryotic cell functions.
In plant cells, vacuoles are generally larger as they store important nutrients, dissolved sugars,
amino acids, minerals, and water. The nutrients are packaged and secured within the vacuole to
ensure the nutrients are not damaged. This is important for all cells because many of the
compounds stored inside of vacuoles are crucial for nutritional and sustainable needs. These
organelles are not only used for storage, but also used to export unwanted materials from the cell.
This role is similar to that of a lysosome in animal cells. In addition, it is crucial for plant’s
vacuoles to regulate turgor pressure within the cell. The more water there is inside of a cell, the
higher the turgor pressure. This affects the rigidity of the cell wall, furthermore supporting the
shape and structure of plants, helping them maintain an upright position. If a vacuole contains too
much liquid, then it is able to export this material to avoid cytolysis or the bursting of the cell.
When a cell increases in size, it is not the cytoplasm that expands, but instead the
vacuole. The expansion of vacuoles in plant cells occurs over time and eventually one vacuole
can occupy 80% of the cell’s volume. Vacuoles are also found in animal cells, although they are
not nearly as large. Another important function of these organelles is the disposal of waste and
toxins. Vacuoles act as compartments where waste products can be broken down and toxins can
be contained. The Vacuole slowly breaks down the worn-out organelles and other waste into
extremely small fragments that cannot contaminate the cell. This is a fundamental role of the
organelle because it prevents the cell from being exposed to harmful substances, which could
have a negative effect on its function. The internal environment of a vacuole is very important for
its function. The enzymes within most vacuoles function best around a pH of 5 and vacuoles
conveniently have a pH ranging from 5-6. This makes for more efficient and successful function
of the organelle so it can best help the cell and perform intended activities.
Vacuoles are necessary for both plants and animals and they store crucial nutrients and
prevent toxins from spreading to the cell. They maintain the shape of plants and keep unwanted
bacteria or proteins from building up within the cell. These extremely important organelles
package nutrients, protect, and promote the function of the cell in which they exist. In our poster,
the pictures represent our way of conveying the function of vacuoles. The picture of a vacuum is a
way to illustrate how vacuoles store both nutrients and waste products by creating a “vacuum”
around these substances. We also used actual pictures of vacuoles in both plant and animal cells
to demonstrate the difference in their appearance in varying cell types. We included text for
additional information to give the viewer background on the benefits of having this important
organelle as well as to connect the function of the organelle with its appearance.