Mature plant cells devote most of their interior volume to a single organelle that stores ions, pigments, and wastes while pressing the cytoplasm against the cell wall. Which organelle is this?

Core Concept

The central vacuole can fill most of a mature plant cell's volume, holding water, ions, sugars, pigments, and metabolic byproducts. As it fills, hydrostatic pressure pushes the cytosol outward against the cell wall, producing the turgor that keeps stems and leaves firm. Sequestering stored compounds inside also keeps them from interfering with cytosolic chemistry.