gas vacuole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist Technical Term)Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “gas vacuole” mean?
A subcellular organelle found in some aquatic bacteria and cyanobacteria, consisting of clusters of small, gas-filled vesicles that provide buoyancy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A subcellular organelle found in some aquatic bacteria and cyanobacteria, consisting of clusters of small, gas-filled vesicles that provide buoyancy.
In a broader biological context, it can refer to any membrane-bound compartment containing gas, though this is less common. The term is almost exclusively used in microbiology and cell biology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains consistent as 'gas' (not 'petrol' or other variants).
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare and confined to specialist literature in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “gas vacuole” in a Sentence
The cyanobacterium [possesses/has] gas vacuoles.Gas vacuoles [provide/regulate] buoyancy.The [pressure/turgor] causes gas vacuoles to [collapse/compress].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gas vacuole” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gas-vacuole density affects vertical migration.
American English
- Gas-vacuole formation is induced by light intensity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in microbiology, limnology, and marine biology research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in descriptions of prokaryotic cell structure and microbial ecology, especially regarding phytoplankton buoyancy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gas vacuole”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gas vacuole”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gas vacuole”
- Using 'gas bubble' interchangeably (a gas bubble is not a permanent organelle).
- Misspelling as 'gas vacoule'.
- Assuming it is found in animal or plant cells.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, gas vacuoles are specific to certain prokaryotic organisms like cyanobacteria and some other aquatic bacteria.
Individual vesicles are often below the resolution of a light microscope, but clusters can appear as bright, refractive areas within the cell.
The vesicles are typically filled with air, primarily nitrogen and oxygen.
Essentially, yes. 'Gas vacuole' often refers to the cluster of many individual 'gas vesicles'.
A subcellular organelle found in some aquatic bacteria and cyanobacteria, consisting of clusters of small, gas-filled vesicles that provide buoyancy.
Gas vacuole is usually technical/scientific in register.
Gas vacuole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡæs ˈvæk.ju.əʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæs ˈvæk.ju.oʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'vacuum' as empty space; a 'vacuole' is a small cavity. A GAS VACUOLE is a small cavity filled with GAS, like tiny life jackets inside a bacterial cell.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CELL'S BUOYANCY CONTROL TANK / MICROSCOPIC FLOTATION DEVICE
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a gas vacuole?