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Question

Difficulty: MediumCell Structure and Function

A plant wilts when it does not receive enough water because its cells lose internal hydrostatic pressure. Which organelle is primarily responsible for storing water and maintaining turgor pressure in plant cells?

  1. A
    Chloroplast
  2. B
    Cell membrane
  3. Central vacuoleAnswer
  4. D
    Mitochondrion

Answer

Central vacuole
The central vacuole typically occupies the majority of the internal volume in mature plant cells. When filled with water, it pushes outward against the rigid cell wall, creating turgor pressure that keeps stems and leaves firm and upright.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the cellular physiological role described in the question.
The target organelle must store large volumes of fluid to generate internal hydrostatic pressure against the cell wall to maintain structural rigidity.
When a plant experiences water deficit, water is lost from this compartment, causing loss of turgidity and leading to wilting.
2
Evaluate the primary functions of specialized plant organelles to find the matching structure.
The central vacuole is the large fluid-filled reservoir that maintains turgor pressure, unlike chloroplasts which handle photosynthesis or mitochondria which generate ATP.
Directly mapping cellular structure to physiological function establishes the central vacuole as the correct answer.

Key Concept

Plant Cell Organelles and Turgor Pressure Regulation
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Cell Structure and Function

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