Vacuoles: The Unsung Heroes of Cell Biology

How does a vacuole help an organism maintain homeostasis?

A. It helps by regulating water amounts within the cell.

B. It helps by keeping a rigid structure at all times.

C. It helps by excreting salt as part of osmosis.

D. It helps by controlling the movement of gases into the cell.

Answer: C

Explanation: Vacuoles help maintain homeostasis by excreting salt as part of osmosis.

Vacuoles play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in organisms. In single-celled organisms like the paramecium, the contractile vacuole helps regulate the water balance by actively pumping out excess water to prevent the cell from bursting due to osmotic pressure. This process of excreting salt as part of osmosis helps the organism maintain internal balance.

Additionally, in plants, vacuoles store water and nutrients, helping to maintain turgor pressure and overall cell stability. The vacuole can expand and contract to adjust the cell's internal pressure as needed, ensuring that the plant can support itself upright and carry out essential functions like photosynthesis.

Overall, the ability of vacuoles to regulate water content, store ions and nutrients, and assist in waste removal is vital for maintaining homeostasis within an organism's cells.