๐Ÿงฌap biology review

Contractile vacuole

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

An organelle in protists that actively removes excess water to maintain osmotic balance and prevent cell lysis.

AP course connection

Topic 2.7: 2.7 Tonicity and Osmoregulation

Unit 2

"Contractile vacuole" also found in: