How can vacuole functions be explained to kids?

Biology4Kids.com! This tutorial introduces vacuole function. Other sections include ... They can even store waste products so the rest of the cell is protected from contamination. Eventually, those waste products ... Plant cells do not shrink because of changes in the amount of cytoplasm. read more

Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles that are found in cells of plants, animals and fungi. Plant cells tend to have a large central vacuole, while the vacuoles in animal cells tend to be smaller. The main function of vacuoles is to contain the waste products of the cells and isolate them from the rest of the organelles and the cytoplasm. read more

Vacuole Function in Animal Cells. In animal cells, vacuoles tend to play a lesser role. Although animal cells contain vacuoles, they do not contain large central vacuoles. The main function of vacuoles in animal cells is to isolate and remove waste products from the other organelles and the cytoplasm. read more

In plant cells, the vacuoles are much larger than in animal cells. When a plant cell has stopped growing, there is usually one very large vacuole. Sometimes that vacuole can take up more than half of the cell's volume. The vacuole holds large amounts of water or food. Don't forge that vacuoles can also hold the plant waste products. read more