The total volume of plant cells is often significantly greater than the total volume in animal cells. The most reasonable explanation for this observation is that:_______

a. The total volume of plant cells is often significantly greater than the total volume in animal cells.
b. The most reasonable explanation for this observation is that plant cells have a much more highly convoluted (folded) plasma membrane than animal cells.
c. Animal cells are spherical, whereas plant cells are elongated. plant cells are capable of having a much higher surface-to-volume ratio than animal cells.
d. Plant cells contain a large vacuole that occupies much of the volume of the cell.

The vacuole is a membrane-bound organelle which is often found in plant and fungi cells, as well as in certain bacteria, protists and animal cells. The vacuole is filled with water that forms a solution containing inorganic and organic compounds. The size of the vacuole may vary depending on the requirements of the specific cell type. In plant cells, vacuoles often occupy an important fraction of the overall cell volume and play key roles during growth and development, influencing diverse cellular functions ranging from photosynthesis to transpiration.