The volume enclosed by the plasma membrane of plant cells is often much larger than the corresponding volume in animal cells. The most reasonable explanation for this observation is that
A) plant cells are capable of having a much higher surface-to-volume ratio than animal cells.
B) plant cells have a much more highly convoluted (folded) plasma membrane than animal cells.
C) plant cells contain a large vacuole that reduces the volume of the cytoplasm.
D) animal cells are more spherical, whereas plant cells are elongated.
E) plant cells can have lower surface-to-volume ratios than animal cells because plant cells synthesize their own nutrients.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Plant cells have a large central vacuole that, when filled with water, can occupy a significant portion of the cell's volume. This reduces the volume of the cytoplasm, allowing the plasma membrane to enclose a larger volume. Animal cells do not have a central vacuole, so their plasma membrane encloses a smaller volume. The other choices are not likely to affect the volume enclosed by the plasma membrane in plant and animal cells.

The Volume Enclosed by the Plasma Membrane of Plant Cells