OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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What is the primary function of the vacuole in plant cells?

To contain genetic material
To trap light energy for photosynthesis
To transport nutrients within the cell
To produce ATP

The correct answer is: To trap light energy for photosynthesis

The primary function of the vacuole in plant cells is to maintain turgor pressure, which helps support the structure of the plant. Vacuoles store various substances, including nutrients, waste products, and water, essential for cell function. While it's true that they can play a role in the storage of pigments and are involved in the overall maintenance of plant cell hydration, they do not participate directly in the trapping of light energy for photosynthesis; that function is primarily carried out by chloroplasts. The option suggesting that vacuoles trap light energy for photosynthesis is inaccurate. Instead, chloroplasts are the organelles responsible for this process by absorbing light and converting it into chemical energy. Vacuoles are more focused on storage and maintaining the internal balance of the cell than on energy production or light capture. This distinction clarifies the key roles that different organelles play within plant cells and emphasizes the specific functions of the vacuole.