Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

What do vacuoles store?

1. Food, water, and minerals

2. Proteins and enzymes

3. Chlorophyll

4. Cell wall materials

The correct answer is: Food, water, and minerals

Vacuoles are essential organelles found in both plant and animal cells, primarily responsible for storing various substances. The correct answer highlights that vacuoles store food, water, and minerals, which is crucial for cellular functions and overall homeostasis. In plant cells, vacuoles often occupy a large portion of the cell's volume and play a significant role in maintaining turgor pressure, which helps support the plant structure. They can also store nutrients and waste products, contributing to the cell's metabolic processes and health. The options referencing proteins and enzymes, chlorophyll, and cell wall materials do not accurately describe the primary function of vacuoles. While chlorophyll is stored in chloroplasts, proteins and enzymes are typically synthesized in ribosomes and processed in the endoplasmic reticulum rather than stored in vacuoles. Cell wall materials are primarily related to the synthesis of substances like cellulose, which occurs in specialized areas of the cell rather than being stored in vacuoles. Thus, the role of vacuoles as storage sites for food, water, and minerals is integral to understanding their function in cellular biology.