NEETBotanyPlant Kingdom
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Selaginella and Salvinia represent an event that is considered an important step in evolution as a precursor to the seed habit. Reason (R): These plants produce two kinds of spores, and their female gametophytes are retained on the parent sporophytes for variable periods. In the light of the above
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct.
Correct answer
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Step-by-step solution
According to NCERT, genera like Selaginella and Salvinia which produce two kinds of spores are known as heterosporous. In these plants, the female gametophytes are retained on the parent sporophytes for variable periods. The development of the zygotes into young embryos takes place within the female gametophytes. This retention and in-situ development is a precursor to the seed habit, which is considered an important step in evolution. Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are correct, and the Reason correctly expla