Contractile vacuoles

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Contractile vacuoles are specialized organelles found in many freshwater protists that are involved in osmoregulation. They collect and expel excess water from the cell, helping to maintain an appropriate balance of solutes and preventing lysis of the protist. They are not directly involved in acquiring food or defending against predators, and are not typically lined with cilia alveoli. While some marine protists may also have contractile vacuoles, they are typically less important because seawater is less hypotonic than freshwater.

Contractile Vacuoles