What is the main function of a vacuole in a plant cell?

Quick look: A vacuole is a membrane-enclosed fluid filled sac found in the cells of plants including fungi. Vacuoles can be large organelles occupying between 30% and 90% of a cell by volume. read more

Vacuole Function in Plant Cells In plants, the vacuole contains an outer membrane called a tonoplast and a solution called cell sap. Cell sap in vacuoles usually contains water and essential proteins, enzymes, salts and ions, which are necessary for growth. read more

Vacuoles and lysosomes have similar functions Vacuoles in plant cells are in some respects the equivalent of lysosomes in animal cells. The environment inside a vacuole is slightly acid (pH about 5.0) whilst for the rest of the cytosol it is slightly alkaline (about pH 7.2). read more

The solutes present in vacuoles are known to absorb water. As water enters the vacuoles, cells become inflated; it allows the soft parts of plants (for example, leaves) to retain their shape and turgidity. Thus, maintaining the cell in a proper shape is the main function of vacuoles. read more

The vacuole in cells have three main functions which are to provide the plant with support or rigidity, a storage area for nutrients and waste matter and can decompose complex molecules, according to British Society for Cell Biology. In plant cells, the vacuole also can store water. read more

Vacuoles of plant cells are larger than those found in animal cells. The central vacuole present in plant cells is one of the important cell organelles. The central vacuole, surrounded by tonoplast, offers support to cells which constitute leaves and other soft parts of plants. read more