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How are food vacuoles formed in cells that use phagocytosis or pinocytosis?

publish date: 2026/06/15 21:25:13.821041 UTC

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Many cells can take in materials from their environment by engulfing them. How are the resulting vacuoles formed?

The cell membrane folds inward around the material, forming a membrane-bound vacuole

The nucleus pinches off a portion of itself to form a vacuole

Mitochondria donate their outer membrane to form vacuoles

Ribosomes assemble vacuole membranes directly in the cytoplasm

Correct Answer

The cell membrane folds inward around the material, forming a membrane-bound vacuole

Explanation

During phagocytosis (engulfing solid particles) and pinocytosis (engulfing liquid droplets), the cell membrane folds inward around the material being taken in, pinching off to form a membrane-bound food vacuole inside the cytoplasm. These vacuoles may then be digested by enzymes from lysosomes.

Reference

Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Vacuoles and Cell Sap