Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Food vacuoles are small sacs within cells that store nutrients.
Related terms
Contractile Vacuole: This is an organelle in some cells that expels excess water out of the cell. It's like if your fridge had a function to remove any excess moisture from your veggies to keep them fresh longer.
Central Vacuole: Found in plant cells, this large vacuole stores water, nutrients, and waste products. It's like a bigger version of your fridge found only in 'plant houses'.
As mentioned before, these are organelles filled with enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris - they could be seen as the garbage disposal or compost bin next to your fridge!