Consider the following statements regarding "Vacuoles" in plant cells: 1. They can occupy 50-90% of the cell volume. 2. They store only waste products and never nutrients like amino acids. 3. They are always absent in young plant cells. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation The vacuole is a membrane-bound space found in the cytoplasm of plant cells. It is bounded by a single membrane called the tonoplast. Vacuoles play a crucial role in maintaining the turgidity of the cell and facilitating the storage of various substances. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: In mature plant cells, the central vacuole is very large and can occupy 50 to 90 per cent of the total cell volume. This large volume helps push the cytoplasm against the cell wall, maintaining turgor pressure. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The vacuole contains water, sap, excretory products, and other materials not immediately useful for the cell. However, it also acts as a storage site for essential nutrients, including ions, sugars, and amino acids. Therefore, the claim that it never stores nutrients is factually wrong. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: While vacuoles are most prominent in mature cells, they are not "always absent" in young plant cells. Young cells (such as those in the meristematic region) typically contain multiple small vacuoles (pro-vacuoles) that eventually fuse to form the large central vacuole as the cell matures. Key Takeaway Vacuoles in plant cells are large, central organelles bounded by the tonoplast that store cell sap (water, ions, excretory products, and nutrients) and provide structural support through turgidity.

NCERT Class 9 Science — Chapter 1: The fundamental unit of life

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Consider the following statements regarding "Vacuoles" in plant cells:

They can occupy 50-90% of the cell volume.
They store only waste products and never nutrients like amino acids.
They are always absent in young plant cells.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The vacuole is a membrane-bound space found in the cytoplasm of plant cells. It is bounded by a single membrane called the tonoplast. Vacuoles play a crucial role in maintaining the turgidity of the cell and facilitating the storage of various substances.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In mature plant cells, the central vacuole is very large and can occupy 50 to 90 per cent of the total cell volume. This large volume helps push the cytoplasm against the cell wall, maintaining turgor pressure.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The vacuole contains water, sap, excretory products, and other materials not immediately useful for the cell. However, it also acts as a storage site for essential nutrients, including ions, sugars, and amino acids. Therefore, the claim that it never stores nutrients is factually wrong.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: While vacuoles are most prominent in mature cells, they are not "always absent" in young plant cells. Young cells (such as those in the meristematic region) typically contain multiple small vacuoles (pro-vacuoles) that eventually fuse to form the large central vacuole as the cell matures.

Key Takeaway

Vacuoles in plant cells are large, central organelles bounded by the tonoplast that store cell sap (water, ions, excretory products, and nutrients) and provide structural support through turgidity.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: The fundamental unit of life

With reference to Plastids, consider the following statements: 1. They are present only in plant cells. 2. Chromoplasts are colourless plastids, while leucoplasts contain chlorophyll. 3. Unlike mitochondria, plastids lack their own DNA and ribosomes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements about Vacuoles: 1. They are small-sized in animal cells while plant cells have very large vacuoles. 2. In Amoeba, the food vacuole is absent. 3. They can play a role in expelling excess water from the cell. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to osmosis, consider the following statements: 1. Osmosis is the net diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane. 2. If a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it is likely to shrink. 3. Water molecules pass across the membrane in only one direction during osmosis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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A plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. Which of the following phenomena is most likely to occur?

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The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In mature plant cells, the central vacuole is very large and can occupy 50 to 90 per cent of the total cell volume. This large volume helps push the cytoplasm against the cell wall, maintaining turgor pressure.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The vacuole contains water, sap, excretory products, and other materials not immediately useful for the cell. However, it also acts as a storage site for essential nutrients, including ions, sugars, and amino acids. Therefore, the claim that it never stores nutrients is factually wrong.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: While vacuoles are most prominent in mature cells, they are not "always absent" in young plant cells. Young cells (such as those in the meristematic region) typically contain multiple small vacuoles (pro-vacuoles) that eventually fuse to form the large central vacuole as the cell matures.