Vacuoles are organelles primarily found in plants and fungi, although the organelle is also found in some animals and bacteria. Vacuole function is more difficult to categorize because the function varies between organisms and even cells. Still the general properties of vacuoles include containment of waste products, water storage (helps to maintain pressure), pH balance, exocytosis, and holding vesicle for various proteins. Vacuoles can also be used in the process of phagocytosis.