Definition

Adjective: * Formed into or containing one or more vacuoles. A vacuole is a small, membrane-bound cavity or compartment within a cell, often used for storage, digestion, or waste removal.

Usage

The adjective "vacuolated" is used in cell biology to describe the state or appearance of a cell that contains vacuoles. It is a technical, descriptive term. * It typically modifies nouns like "cell," "cytoplasm," or "tissue." * It describes an observable characteristic under a microscope.

Examples

• Under the microscope, the plant cell appeared highly vacuolated, with a large central vacuole occupying most of its volume.
• The vacuolated cytoplasm of the protozoan contained several food vacuoles.
• As the cell aged, it became more vacuolated, a sign of changing metabolic activity.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in comparative forms (e.g., "more vacuolated," "less vacuolated") to describe differences between cells or changes over time.
• It is often found in scientific literature, lab reports, and textbooks describing cellular morphology.

Variants and Related Words

• Vacuole (noun): The membrane-bound organelle itself.
  • The vacuole stores water and nutrients.
• Vacuolation (noun): The process of forming vacuoles, or the state of being vacuolated.
  • The vacuolation of the cell increased during the experiment.

Synonyms

• Vesiculated (containing vesicles, though vesicles are generally smaller than vacuoles)
• Alveolated (containing small cavities or pits, used in some biological contexts)

Antonyms

• Non-vacuolated
• Dense (referring to cytoplasm without apparent vacuoles)

Adjective

1. formed into or containing one or more vacuoles or small membrane-bound cavities within a cell