Which statement describes the plant vacuole?

• A. Large fluid-filled organelle; store dissolved wastes and toxins; store anthocyanins; provide turgor pressure
• B. Primary site of photosynthesis
• C. Main energy-producing organelle
• D. Genetic material storage

Answer: (A)

The plant vacuole is a large, fluid-filled compartment that fills much of the plant cell and uses water pressure to keep the cell rigid. It serves as a storage depot: it sequesters dissolved wastes and toxins to keep them away from the cytoplasm, and it can store pigments like anthocyanins, which contribute to plant coloration. By taking up water, the vacuole exerts turgor pressure against the cell wall, which helps maintain cell shape, supports growth, and keeps the plant upright. This combination of being a large storage center and generating turgor distinguishes it from organelles like chloroplasts (photosynthesis), mitochondria (energy production), and the nucleus (genetic material storage).