Plant and animal cells handle water in different ways because of vacuoles. Let’s break it down.

1. Size of Vacuoles:

   • Plant Cells: These cells usually have one big vacuole that can take up to 90% of the cell. This vacuole stores water, nutrients, and waste.
   • Animal Cells: They have smaller vacuoles, and there are usually several of them. Together, they only make up about 5-10% of the cell.

2. How Water is Managed:

   • Plant Cells: They keep something called turgor pressure. This means the vacuole pushes against the cell wall, helping the plant stay upright and strong.
   • Animal Cells: These cells depend on a good mix of substances and water. Without a cell wall, they can easily burst if too much water enters.

In short, the large vacuole in plant cells plays a key role in storing water and keeping the plant strong, while animal cells use their smaller vacuoles for different jobs, leading to different ways of managing water.