A plant cell and an animal cell are of the same size.
(A) Which cell will have a larger vacuole? Give reasons.
(B) What assumptions are you making to answer the question above?
(A) The plant cell will have a larger vacuole. In mature plant cells, a large central vacuole occupies a major part of the cell and stores water, minerals, nutrients, and waste products. It also helps maintain turgor pressure, which keeps the plant cell firm and provides support to the plant body.
(B) The following assumptions are made:
1. (1) The plant cell is assumed to be a mature plant cell, since young meristematic cells have either small or no vacuoles.
2. (2) The animal cell is assumed to be a typical animal cell and not a specialised cell.
3. (3) Both cells are assumed to be in a normal physiological condition.
4. (4) Both cells are assumed to have the same total cell size or volume for comparison.
