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Definition

noun

(1) The liquid inside the large central vacuole of a plant cell that serves as storage of materials and provides mechanical support, especially in non-woody plants. It has also a vital role in plant cell osmosis.

(2) The cytosol, which is the watery fluid component of the cytoplasm.

Supplement

The liquid found inside the plant cell vacuole referred to as the cell sap is a dilute fluid consisting of water, amino acids, glucose and salts.

Word origin: cyto- » Greek kyto- (container, receptacle, body) + -lymph » Latin lympha, (water nymph), from Greek numphē (young bride, water nymph).

Synonyms:

• sap vacuole
• cytosol