Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

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Which type of vacuole is prevalent in mature plant cells and stores organic compounds and water?

Food vacuole
Central vacuole
Contractile vacuole
Storage vacuole

The correct answer is: Central vacuole

The central vacuole is a large, membrane-bound organelle found predominantly in mature plant cells. It plays crucial roles in maintaining cell turgor pressure, which is essential for plant rigidity and support. This vacuole is particularly significant because it can occupy a substantial portion of the cell's interior, often making up to 90% of the cell's volume in some plant types. In addition to storing water, the central vacuole serves as a reservoir for organic compounds such as carbohydrates, ions, and various metabolites. This storage capability is vital for the plant's overall metabolism and growth. The central vacuole also helps in the degradation of waste products and plays a role in the plant's ability to respond to environmental stressors. Therefore, its dual function of storage and maintaining cell structure and integrity makes it indispensable in the physiology of mature plant cells.