CONTRACTILE VACUOLE Meaning and
Definition
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A contractile vacuole refers to a specialized organelle found in certain organisms that aids in maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating the water balance within the cell. It functions as a dynamic storage space, accumulating excess water and then rapidly expelling it from the cell when necessary. This organelle is commonly observed in single-celled organisms, such as protozoans and algae, which inhabit environments with fluctuating water availability.
The contractile vacuole is responsible for preventing the cell from bursting due to an excessive influx of water, a process known as osmoregulation. It works by drawing in water from the surrounding environment through small pores on the cell membrane. Once inside, the contractile vacuole fills up and, upon reaching a certain capacity, contracts forcefully. This contraction expels the accumulated water outside the cell, generally through a permanent opening.
The frequency of contractile vacuole contraction is regulated by the osmotic pressure differential between the cell's cytoplasm and the external environment. Typically, when the external environment is hypotonic (low solute concentration), the contractile vacuole will contract more frequently, assisting the cell in regulating its internal water balance. In contrast, when the external environment is hypertonic (high solute concentration), the contractile vacuole contraction will be less frequent.
The contractile vacuole is crucial to the survival and maintenance of cellular function in organisms possessing it, as it guards against excess water accumulation and maintains proper cellular volume and osmolarity.
Common Misspellings for CONTRACTILE VACUOLE
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Etymology of CONTRACTILE VACUOLE
The word "contractile vacuole" comes from the combination of two terms: "contractile" and "vacuole".
1. "Contractile" is derived from the Latin word "contractilis", which means "capable of shrinking or contracting". It is derived from the verb "contrahere", which means "to draw together". In the context of biology, the term refers to the ability of certain structures or cells to contract or shrink.
2. "Vacuole" is derived from the Latin word "vacuus", meaning "empty" or "void". It refers to a small cavity or space within a cell or organism that contains fluid or other cellular components.
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