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

The primary function of a vacuole in plant cells is to contain cell sap and maintain cell shape. Vacuoles are large, membrane-bound sacs filled with a solution that includes water, ions, sugars, and various other substances. This fluid-filled space exerts turgor pressure against the cell wall, which helps to keep the plant cell rigid and maintains its structure. This rigidity is essential for supporting the plant and allowing it to stand upright.

Vacuoles also play a role in storage, helping to store nutrients and waste products, thus contributing to the overall metabolic processes of the plant. The ability of the vacuole to hold and manage cell sap directly influences the osmotic balance within the cell, which in turn affects growth and development.

Other roles mentioned in the options do not pertain to vacuoles. For example, while light absorption is crucial for photosynthesis, this function is primarily conducted by chloroplasts, not vacuoles. Storing genetic material is the main role of the nucleus, and cellular respiration primarily occurs in the mitochondria rather than vacuoles, making the specific function of vacuoles centered around turgor and storage.