Assertion (A): The coconut water from tender coconut is free nuclear endosperm and the surrounding white kernel in coconut is the cellular endosperm.
Reason (R): Primary endosperm nucleus (PEN) undergoes successive nuclear divisions to produce free nuclei.

Options

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

Explanation

To solve the question, we will analyze the assertion and reason provided, and then determine their validity.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Assertion (A)**:
- The assertion states that "The coconut water from tender coconut is free nuclear endosperm and the surrounding white kernel in coconut is the cellular endosperm."
- In botanical terms, the endosperm is the tissue that provides nutrition to the developing embryo in seeds.
- Coconut water is indeed considered free nuclear endosperm because it contains many free nuclei that have not yet formed cell walls. The surrounding white kernel is the cellular endosperm, where the nuclei are enclosed by cell walls.

2. **Understanding the Reason (R)**:
- The reason states that "Primary endosperm nucleus (PEN) undergoes successive nuclear divisions to produce free nuclei."
- This is a correct statement. The primary endosperm nucleus, which is triploid in angiosperms, divides mitotically without cytokinesis during the early stages of endosperm development, resulting in multiple free nuclei.

3. **Evaluating the Relationship Between A and R**:
- Both the assertion and reason are true statements.
- The reason (R) explains why the assertion (A) is true. The formation of free nuclear endosperm in coconut water is a direct result of the successive nuclear divisions of the primary endosperm nucleus.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Since both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion, we conclude that the correct answer is:
- **Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.**

### Final Answer:
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

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