Exciting Plant Cell Organelles Quiz!

Which organelle often takes up much of the volume of a plant cell?

a. chloroplasts b. nucleus c. central vacuole d. chromoplasts e. rough endoplasmic reticulum

Final answer:

The central vacuole often takes up much of the volume of a plant cell. It is involved in storage, maintaining cell shape, and providing structural support.

The correct answer is c. central vacuole. The central vacuole is a large, membrane-bound organelle found in plant cells that takes up a significant amount of the cell's volume. It typically occupies around 80% or more of the total cell volume.

This organelle is involved in various functions, including storage of water, sugars, pigments, and toxins, as well as regulation of turgor pressure. It also plays a role in maintaining cell shape and providing structural support to the plant.

Unlike animal cells, plant cells have a single, large central vacuole that occupies much of the cell space. Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis, while the nucleus contains the genetic material. Chromoplasts are involved in pigment synthesis, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle involved in protein synthesis.