A vacuole is a membrane-bound organelle which is present in plant and fungal cells and some protist, animal, and bacterial cells. Vacuoles are essentially enclosed compartments which are filled with water containing inorganic and organic molecules. Vacuoles are formed by the fusion of multiple membrane vesicles and are effectively just larger forms of these. The organelle has no basic shape or size; its structure varies according to the requirements of the cell.
In plants cells, the large central vacuole stores water and wastes, isolates hazardous materials, and has enzymes that can break down macromolecules and cellular components, like those of a lysosome. Plant vacuoles also function in water balance and may be used to store compounds such as toxins and pigments