Assertion: Some mineral nutrients are essential.
Reasoning: They can be synthesized by the plants.

Options

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

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Assertion:**
- The assertion states that "Some mineral nutrients are essential." This is true as plants require certain minerals for their growth and development. There are 17 essential mineral nutrients recognized for plants.

2. **Understanding the Reasoning:**
- The reasoning states that "They can be synthesized by the plants." This is where the confusion lies. Essential mineral nutrients cannot be synthesized by plants; they must be absorbed from the soil.

3. **Criteria for Essentiality:**
- To clarify the concept of essential nutrients, it is important to note that there are three criteria that define whether a mineral is essential:
a. The mineral must be necessary for normal growth and reproductive activity.
b. The mineral must directly participate in the metabolism of the plant.
c. The role of the mineral must be specific and cannot be replaced by another element.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Since the assertion is true (some mineral nutrients are essential), but the reasoning is false (they cannot be synthesized by plants), the correct conclusion is that the assertion is true while the reason is false.

5. **Final Answer:**
- The correct answer is that the assertion is true, but the reason is false.

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