Question

The function of contractile vacuole, in protozoa, is

• A. osmoregulation
• B. reproduction
• C. locomotion
• D. digestion of food.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The question is about the function of the contractile vacuole in protozoa. Let's explore the role of a contractile vacuole to determine which option is correct.

The contractile vacuole is a cellular structure in certain protists, notably protozoa, that helps maintain the osmotic balance by expelling excess water from the cell. The process by which this expulsion occurs is known as osmoregulation.

Let's analyze each option:

1. Osmoregulation: The primary function of the contractile vacuole is to manage the water content within the protozoan cell, thus maintaining internal osmotic balance by periodically contracting and expelling excess water. This makes osmoregulation the correct answer.
2. Reproduction: This involves the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. The contractile vacuole does not have any role in the reproductive process.
3. Locomotion: Locomotion refers to movement or the ability to move from one place to another. This function is typically managed by structures like cilia or flagella in protozoa, not the contractile vacuole.
4. Digestion of food: Digestion involves breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components. This role is served by digestive vacuoles, not by the contractile vacuole.

Given this understanding, the correct function of the contractile vacuole in protozoa is clearly osmoregulation.