What is the function of small vacuoles in animal cells?

Small vacuoles in animal cells primarily function as temporary storage or transport vehicles for various substances within the cell. They can hold nutrients, waste products, or other materials that the cell may need to sequester or move to different locations within the cytoplasm. This flexibility allows the cell to manage its internal environment more effectively, facilitating processes such as recycling cellular components or storing important substances until they are needed.

In contrast, other options describe functions that do not align with the primary role of small vacuoles. For example, permanent storage of waste materials is not typical for small vacuoles, as they are more involved in transient storage. Similarly, vacuoles do not provide energy; that role is primarily fulfilled by organelles such as mitochondria. Lastly, the synthesis of proteins takes place in ribosomes, not in vacuoles, making that option inconsistent with the known functions of vacuoles. Thus, the role of small vacuoles in temporary storage and transport is clearly defined and distinct from the other cellular processes mentioned.