Difference between vesicle and vacuole

The main difference between Vesicle and Vacuole is that Vesicle is made to store many different types of molecules, while Vacuole is one of the types of vesicles, it stores mainly water.

Vesicle versus vacuole

A vesicle is known as a small membrane-enclosed organelle that is present inside the cell and consists of many different types of fluid; on the other hand, a vacuole known as a type of vesicles that is mainly made up of water. A vesicle is usually small in size, while a vacuole is relatively larger compared to the vesicle.

A vesicle is present in all eukaryotic cells; on the contrary, the vacuole is present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Vesicle made up of many nutrients, enzymes, water, waste, harmful compounds and ions; on the other hand, the vacuole composed mainly of water.

The main function of the vesicle is that it intervenes in the decomposition, the temporary storage of food substances and enzymes, the control of buoyancy and the transport of molecules to different parts of the cell, and also serves as a chemical reaction chamber; on the other hand, the main function of the vacuole is that it participates in the storage of many substances that contain mainly water and contributes to the structural support of the cell.

Many different types of vesicles include lysosomes, vacuoles, secretory vesicles, transport vesicles, and extracellular vesicles; on the other hand, many fungi, bacteria, plant and animal cells consist of vacuoles. There are a greater number of vesicles present in a cell; on the contrary, the number of vacuoles present within a cell is relatively less than the number of vesicles present within a cell.

Comparative chart

A membrane-bounded organelle that is present within cells and contains many types of constituents is known as a vesicle. The gallbladder contains different types of fluid and they were formed during exocytosis and endocytosis. Liposomes, on the other hand, are artificially formed.

The membrane is a phospholipid bilayer, which generally encloses the vesicle. Unilamellar liposomes consist of a single phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the vesicle. Multilamellar liposomes are generally surrounded primarily by two phospholipid bilayers.

The vesicle fuses with the cell membrane in addition to the organelles present in the cell to release its contents. Many different types of vesicles are present in the cell. A vesicle is involved in decomposition, the temporary storage of food substances and enzymes, the control of buoyancy, and the transport of molecules to different parts of the cell, and they also serve as a chemical reaction chamber.

Types of vesicles and their function

• Vacuoles: a large vacuole present in the center of the plant cell is a characteristic feature. It is composed mainly of water that controls the osmotic balance of the plant cell and mainly helps with the storage of many nutrients.
• Lysosomes: It is a vital type of gallbladder that is involved in digestion. Many food vacuoles fuse with lysosomes, which consist of enzymes to digest food particles.
• Transport vesicles: contribute to the molecular pathways present between locations within the cell. For example, they transport proteins from the RER to the Golgi apparatus.

A type of vesicle consisting mainly of water and a characteristic feature of a plant cell, as well as animal cells, bacterial cells, fungal cells, and in some protists, is known as a vacuole. The vacuole consists of many organic compounds other than water, such as enzymes and inorganic compounds.

Due to the fusion of many multiple vesicles, the vacuole was formed. The shape and size of the vacuole fluctuate depending on the requirements of the cell. The function of the vacuole also varies depending on the type of cell, which consists of the vacuole.

Functions of the vacuole

Many important functions of the vacuole are storing water in plants, isolating harmful materials for cells, regulating internal turgor pressure, regulating internal pH, storing small molecules, temporarily storing waste products and exporting them when necessary, supporting rigidity structure in plant cells, store proteins that are required for germination, and increase the size quickly with just the use of water.

Types of vacuole

The different types of vacuoles are bacterial vacuoles, plant vacuoles, fungal vacuoles, and animal vacuoles.

Key differences

1. A vesicle is known as a small, chemically neutral, membrane-bound and also temporary container, which used to pass its contents through organelles and plasma cell membranes. In contrast, a vacuole is a larger, membranous attached organelle, found in plant and fungal cells, and in many bacterial, animal and protist cells.
2. The size of the gallbladder is small compared to the vacuole, which is comparatively larger.
3. The vesicle is found only in eukaryotic cells, while both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells consist of the vacuole.
4. Many molecules of nutrients, enzymes, water, waste, harmful substances, and many ions make up the vesicles; on the other hand, water is the main component that makes up the vacuole.
5. The number of vesicles present in a cell is higher compared to the number of vacuoles present in a cell because they are present in fewer numbers.
6. The gallbladder is mainly involved in the temporary loading of food and enzymes, the control of buoyancy, the transport of molecules, metabolism and also in the chemical reaction compartments; on the other hand, the vacuole is mainly involved in the structural support of the cell, as well as in the storage of water and many other substances.
7. The different most common types of vesicles are transport vesicles, secretory vesicles, extracellular vesicles, vacuoles, and lysosomes; however, many bacteria, fungi, plant and animal cells contain vacuoles.

The above discussion concludes that the vesicle is involved in the temporary storage of enzymes and food, metabolism, and serves as a chemical reaction chamber for many digestive reactions, while the vacuole is involved in the structural support of the cell. A vesicle is small in size, while the vacuole is relatively larger.