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Question

Difficulty: EasyCell Structure and Function

In plant cells, which organelle stores water and nutrients while creating internal turgor pressure to help the plant stay upright?

  1. A
    Lysosome
  2. B
    Ribosome
  3. Central vacuoleAnswer
  4. D
    Nucleolus

Answer

Central vacuole
The central vacuole is a prominent, membrane-bound organelle taking up a large portion of a mature plant cell's volume. By filling with water and dissolved substances, it exerts hydrostatic pressure (turgor pressure) outward against the rigid cell wall, keeping plant tissues crisp and upright.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the cellular functions described in the question: fluid storage and maintenance of internal pressure in plant cells.
The target organelle is large, membrane-bound, and responsible for hydrostatic turgor pressure.
Plant cells rely on internal fluid pressure pressing against their cell walls to maintain structure and prevent wilting.
2
Evaluate the candidate organelles based on their primary functions.
The central vacuole serves as the main water-storage reservoir and provides turgor pressure, whereas ribosomes make proteins, lysosomes digest waste, and the nucleolus makes ribosome subunits.
Matching organelle structure to its specific physiological role identifies the correct answer.

Key Concept

Plant cell specialization and the role of the central vacuole in maintaining turgor pressure and fluid balance.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Cell Structure and Function

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