Which statement about plant cells is true?

• A. Animal cells have chloroplasts.
• B. Plant cells lack mitochondria.
• C. Plant cells have a nucleus that is different from animal cells.
• D. Plant cells have chloroplasts, a large central vacuole, and cell walls.

Answer: (D)

Plant cells have a set of features that support their roles in photosynthesis, structure, and storage: chloroplasts for capturing light energy, a large central vacuole for storing water and maintaining turgor pressure, and a rigid cell wall for support. That combination is exactly what is described in the true statement, making it the best choice. Chloroplasts enable plants to make food directly from light, which animal cells do not have. Plant cells do have mitochondria to generate energy, so saying they lack mitochondria is incorrect. The nucleus is present and similar in both plant and animal cells, so a statement that the plant nucleus is different from the animal one isn’t accurate. The central vacuole and cell wall, along with chloroplasts, together define much of what makes plant cells distinct.