Final answer:
Vacuoles in plant cells are large and central, taking up to 90% of the cell volume, tasked with storage and maintaining structural integrity. In contrast, animal cells have smaller vacuoles and lack a central vacuole.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vacuoles present in plant and animal cells serve different functions and vary in size. In plant cells, a large central vacuole can occupy up to 90% of the cell's volume and is responsible for storing water, nutrients, and wastes. Unlike in plant cells, animal cells contain much smaller vacuoles, which are also involved in the storage and transport but lack the ability to maintain cell rigidity. Moreover, plant cells have a cell wall and plastids, which are absent in animal cells. While both types of cells contain membrane-bound sacs for storage and transport, the large central vacuole in plant cells is a distinctive feature that plays a critical role in the plant's structural support.