What is the function of contractile vacuoles?

Choose one correct option.

Contractile vacuoles are osmoregulatory organelles found in free-living amoebae and protozoa. Their primary function is to pump excess water out of the cell, which helps in maintaining the osmotic balance within the cell. This process prevents the cell from bursting due to excessive water intake through the process of osmosis. Therefore, the correct option is to pump excess water out of the cell.

Contractile vacuoles are not involved in carrying out pinocytosis, metabolic processes, or phagocytosis.