Vacuole (Lat. Vacuus - Empty)

Vacuole (Lat. Vacuus - Empty)

A small space inside a cell filled with aqueous fluid and separated from the rest of the cytoplasm by a membrane. The vacuole performs a number of important functions in the cell. It maintains cell turgor, regulates osmotic pressure, accumulates and stores nutrients and metabolites. In addition, the vacuole is involved in the processes of excretion and detoxification, isolating and decomposing toxic compounds. The size and number of vacuoles can vary greatly depending on the cell type and its physiological state. Vacuoles play an important role in the metabolic processes of plant cells.