ROLE OF THE CENTRAL VACUOLE
-
The central vacuole of a plant performs a variety of functions.
-
It acts as a storage organelle for both nutrients and waste products, as a lysosomal compartment, as a controller of turgor pressure thereby contributing to the rigidity of the leaves and younger parts of the plant.
-
It also serves as a economical way of increasing the cell size.
Storage function:
Plant vacuoles can store many type of molecules. In particular, they can isolate substances that are potentially harmful for the plant cell.
Homeostatic function:
The vacuole performs an important homeostatic function in plant cells which are subjected to wide variations in their environment.
Metabolic function:
Some products stored by the vacuole perform metabolic function.
Example:
In the vacuoles of storage cells of many seeds like peas and beans, proteins can be stored as reserves for future growth.
The anthocyanin pigments stored in the vacuoles, colour the petals of some flowers so that they attract pollinating insects.
