How does the vacuole (10) in this animal cell differ from the vacuole in a plant cell? a) it is never fluid filled. b) it is larger and gives shape to the animal cell. c) there is no difference; vacuoles are all the same. d) it is smaller and does not give shape to the animal cell.

The correct answer is (d) It is smaller and does not give shape to the animal cell.

Animal cells have smaller vacuoles as compare to that of plant cell. It does not decides the shape of the of the animal cell. The main function of vacuoles in animal cell is endocytosis and exocytosis. They store the waste material. In plant cell the vacuoles cover almost 90% of the space and decides the shape of the plant cell as they are filled with water. This helps the plant cell to maintain turgor pressure.

The animal cell has a large number of small vacuoles and their main function is exocytosis and endocytosis. Therefore, option D is correct.

Further Explanation:

The plant cell vacuoles are a multifunctional component that stores water and food for the survival of the plant. The plant vacuoles are larger in size as compared to the animal cell. It also stores waste materials to protect the cell from contamination. The waste products are later broken down into smaller pieces that are not harmful to the cell. The vacuoles play a vital role in the plant structure. These vacuoles lose or gain water based on the amount of water availability for the plant. A decrease in water content makes the vacuoles shrink. The presence of cell walls helps plant maintain its structure. Once the vacuoles regain the water, the plant attains its normal structure. The vacuoles in plants function as reservoirs for pigments, metabolites, and ions, as well as maintain the cell homeostasis.

The animal cells have vacuoles that are smaller in size but are scattered throughout the cell. In animal cells, the important function of vacuoles is the isolation and removal of waste products from the cytoplasm and other organelles. They generally have acidic pH which helps them overcome any foreign particle and also degrade the misfolded or unwanted proteins sent to the vacuoles. Vacuoles help in exocytosis in which the toxic material is removed from the cell by transporting them to the cell membrane from where it is released out through the cell wall. Vacuoles also help in endocytosis by engulfing the material outside the cell. The engulfed material is them broken down in association with the lysosomes.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Cell Structure and Function

Keywords:

Plant cell, animal cell, vacuoles, pigments, metabolites, ions, homeostasis, lysosomes, exocytosis, endocytosis.