Answer
Yes, animal cells do have vacuoles, but they are generally smaller and less prominent compared to those in plant cells. In animal cells, vacuoles serve various functions including:
- Storage: They store nutrients, waste products, and other substances.
- Regulation: They help regulate the composition of the cell’s cytoplasm and contribute to maintaining the cell’s internal environment.
- Digestion: In some cases, vacuoles in animal cells can contain enzymes that help in the breakdown of macromolecules.
Although animal cell vacuoles are less central to their function compared to those in plant cells, they are still important for cellular processes and maintenance.