Question

Differentiate between the vacuole in plant cells and animal cells.
(5 marks)

Answer 1

• The major difference between the plant and animal vacuoles is the number of vacuoles functioning in the cell.
  • An animal cell has one or more vacuoles but the plant cell contains only one vacuole.

(1 mark)

• The size of the animal vacuoles is relatively smaller as compared to the plant cell vacuole.
  • The one vacuole in the plant cells is larger in size and is capable of taking up to 90% of cell volume in some cases.

(2 marks)

• Another big dissimilarity of both the vacuoles is the function.
  • The main purpose of the vacuole observed in the plant cells is to store the water and keep up the turgidity of the cell that is necessary to keep the cell in a standing position.
  • The vacuoles present in the animal cells contain some other things consisting of water, ions and waste.

(2 marks)