Assertion : The difference in shapes of leaves produced in air and those produced in water in buttercup represent the heterophyllous development due to environment.
Reason : The phenomenon of heterophylly is an example of plasticity.

Options

A. If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
B. If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
C. If assertion is true but reason is false
D. If both assertion and reason are false

Answer

b

Explanation

Different structures are developed during different phases of growth as well as in response to environment. To cope up with the changes in environment, the plant organs also change their structures and it is called plasticity. Heterophylly is the occurrence of different types of leaves on the same plant in different growth phases or under different environmental conditions. In case of environmental plasticity shown by aquatic butter cup Ranunculus flabellaris, the submerged leaves are highly dissected while the emerged leaves are broad and lobed.