Which membrane surrounds the central vacuole and is responsible for storing water and starch?

The tonoplast is the specific membrane that surrounds the central vacuole in plant cells. This membrane plays a critical role in regulating the movement of ions and other substances in and out of the vacuole, which is essential for maintaining turgor pressure within the cell. The central vacuole itself serves as a storage space for water, nutrients, and waste products, as well as for substances like starch.

The tonoplast is particularly important for storage functions—it allows the vacuole to contain stored materials such as starch, pigments, and other components that can be utilized by the plant when needed. Additionally, the tonoplast facilitates the process of osmosis, enabling the vacuole to help maintain the overall water balance and structural integrity of the plant cell.

Other options, while related to membrane structures in cells, do not serve the specific role of surrounding the central vacuole. The cell membrane and plasma membrane are terms often used interchangeably to refer to the outer boundary of the cell, while the cytoplasmic membrane generally refers to the membrane that encloses the cytoplasm but does not denote the specialized functions of the tonoplast.