1. Vacuoles

2. Background  A vacuole is a membrane bound organelle.  They are found in the cytoplasm of cells.  Found in both plant and animal cells.  A good example can be seen in most plant cells.

3. Function  The vacuole performs intracellular secretion, excretion, storage, and digestion.  The exact function of a specific vacuole is specialized depending on the function of the cell of which it is a part.  In plants vacuoles help maintain turgor pressure, which allows the plants to support structures such as leaves and flowers.

4. Turgor Pressure In Plants

5. General Structure  Vacuoles are enclosed within a cell.  They are surrounded with a membrane called a Tonoplast.  The Tonoplast contains channels for water that are used to help maintain the cell’s osmotic balance.

6. Diseases  There are no known diseases involving the vacuole.  However, a loss of water within a plant will cause wilting due to the loss of turgor pressure.

7. Questions What disease is associated with Vacuoles? A)The common cold B)The flu C)Athlete's foot D)None What is one role that a vacuole plays in a plant cell? A)Turgor Pressure B)Photosynthesis C)Acorn Growth D)The color of bark