Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

What is NOT a function of vacuoles?

1. Storage of water and nutrients

2. Support for the cell structure

3. Conduction of metabolic reactions

4. Regulation of cell turgor pressure

The correct answer is: Conduction of metabolic reactions

Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles primarily involved in the storage and regulation of various substances within a cell. They play key roles such as storing water, nutrients, and waste products, which are critical for maintaining cellular functions and homeostasis. Additionally, vacuoles can help provide structural support to plant cells by maintaining turgor pressure, which is essential for keeping the plant rigid and upright. Among the functions listed, conducting metabolic reactions is not one of the primary roles of vacuoles. While vacuoles can participate in some biochemical processes, they do not carry out metabolic reactions in the way that organelles like mitochondria or chloroplasts do, which are directly involved in energy production and photosynthesis, respectively. Therefore, identifying the conduction of metabolic reactions as a function not typically associated with vacuoles is accurate.