Assertion: Lederberg's experiment explains the genetic basis of adaptations in bacteria.
Reason: Certain bacterial cells become penicillin-resistant in response to penicillin.

Options

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

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Assertion**: The assertion states that Lederberg's experiment explains the genetic basis of adaptations in bacteria. This is true. The Lederberg experiment demonstrated how genetic mutations in bacteria can lead to adaptations, such as antibiotic resistance.

2. **Understanding the Reason**: The reason provided is that certain bacterial cells become penicillin-resistant in response to penicillin. This statement is misleading. While it is true that some bacteria can become resistant to penicillin, this resistance is due to pre-existing genetic mutations rather than a direct response to the antibiotic.

3. **Lederberg's Experiment Overview**: Joshua and Esther Lederberg conducted an experiment where they used a master plate of bacteria and created replica plates. They observed that certain colonies were resistant to penicillin even before exposure to the antibiotic, indicating that the resistance was due to genetic mutations present in the bacteria from the start.

4. **Conclusion**: Since the assertion is true (Lederberg's experiment does explain the genetic basis of adaptation), but the reason is false (bacterial resistance is due to pre-existing mutations, not a direct response), the correct option is that the assertion is true and the reason is false.

**Final Answer**: The correct option is C: If the assertion is true, the reason is false.

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