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Vacuoles: The Storage Organelles of Cells Structure, Functions, Types, and Importance in Plants and Animals 1. Introduction to Vacuoles Cells are dynamic and complex, containing various organelles that perform specialized tasks. Among them, vacuoles play an essential role in storing substances, maintaining internal pressure, and helping with cellular digestion and detoxification. They are more than just storage spaces—they are vital to the life of the cell. 2. What are Vacuoles? Vacuoles are membrane-bound sacs found within the cytoplasm of cells. These structures serve multiple purposes, including storage, waste disposal, structural support, and intracellular digestion . Definition : “A vacuole is a membrane-bound organelle that stores nutrients, waste products, or water and helps maintain cellular homeostasis.” 3. Discovery of Vacuoles Vacuoles were first described in the 17th century by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek while examining plant cells under the microscope. However,...