Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

The vacuole is the structure that serves as a storage compartment in plant cells. It is a membrane-bound organelle that typically occupies a significant portion of the plant cell's interior. Vacuoles are primarily responsible for storing various substances, including nutrients, waste products, and other materials required for the cell's metabolic processes. In plant cells, they also play a crucial role in maintaining turgor pressure, which helps support the cell and the overall structure of the plant. Vacuoles can store water, sugars, salts, and pigments, contributing to the cell's homeostasis and overall function. In some cases, vacuoles contain enzymes that break down cellular waste, reinforcing their role in storage and digestion within the cell. Given this important function, it's clear why the vacuole is recognized as a storage compartment in plant cells.