Final answer:
Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles that function in storage and transport. They differ from vesicles in that their membrane does not fuse with other cellular components. Some cells have specialized vacuoles that store macromolecules and break them down. Contractile vacuoles expel excess water and waste through the process of endocytosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles that function in storage and transport. They are larger than vesicles and have a subtle distinction from them. The membrane of a vacuole does not fuse with the membranes of other cellular components, while vesicles can fuse with other membranes within the cell system. Some cells, such as plant cells, have specialized vacuoles that store macromolecules and break them down using enzymes. Additionally, there are contractile vacuoles that contract to expel excess water from the cell. These contractile vacuoles excrete the excess water and waste by the process of endocytosis, where the vacuole merges with the cell membrane and expels the waste into the environment.