vac·u·ole (v k y - l )n. A small cavity in the cytoplasm of a cell, bound by a single membrane and containing water, food, or metabolic waste. [French, from Latin vacuus, empty; see vacuum.] vac u·olar (-l r, -lär) adj.vac u·o·lation n. |
vacuole [ˈvækjʊˌəʊl]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology a fluid-filled cavity in the cytoplasm of a cell
[from French, literally: little vacuum, from Latin vacuum]
vacuolar [ˌvækjʊˈəʊlə] adj
vacuolate [ˈvækjʊəlɪt -ˌleɪt] adj
vacuolation [ˌvækjʊəˈleɪʃən] n
| vacuole (vky-l) A cavity within the cytoplasm of a cell, surrounded by a single membrane and containing fluid, food, or metabolic waste. Vacuoles are found in the cells of plants, protists, and some primitive animals. In mature plant cells, there is usually one large vacuole which occupies a large part of the cell's volume and is filled with a liquid called cell sap. The cell sap stores food reserves, pigments, defensive toxins, and waste products to be expelled or broken down. In the cells of protists, however, there may be many small specialized vacuoles, such as digestive vacuoles for the absorption of captured food and contractile vacuoles for the expulsion of excess water or wastes. See more at cell. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  vacuole - a tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cellcell - (biology) the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; they may exist as independent units of life (as in monads) or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals |
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