What is the function of a vacuole in an animal cell?I'm studying IGCSE, not sure if this is part of the syllabus, but still wondering why an animal...

In animal cells, vacuoles perform mostly subordinate
roles, assisting in larger processes of exocytosis and
endocytosis.

Exocytosis is the extrusion process of
proteins and lipids from the cell. These materials are absorbed into secretory granules
within the Golgi apparatus before being transported to the cell membrane and secreted
into the extracellular environment. In this capacity, vacuoles are simply storage
vesicles which allow for the containment, transport and disposal of selected proteins
and lipids to the extracellular environment.

Endocytosis is
the reverse of exocytosis and can occur in a variety of forms. Phagocytosis ("cell
eating") is the process by which bacteria, dead tissue, or other bits of material
visible under the microscope are engulfed by cells. The material makes contact with the
cell membrane, which then invaginates. The invagination  is pinched off, leaving the
engulfed material in the membrane-enclosed vacuole and the cell membrane intact.
Pinocytosis ("cell drinking") is essentially the same process, the difference being that
the substances ingested are in solution and not visible under the microscope.
Phagocytosis and Pinocytosis are both undertaken in association with lysosomes which
complete the breakdown of the material which has been engulfed.