Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): A single plant cell can be regenerated into a complete plantlet.
Reason (R): Plant cells are totipotent in nature.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (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

Hint:

Totipotency = Total Potential. If a cell has it, it can build the whole plant from scratch.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Totipotency is the fundamental principle of plant tissue culture. It refers to the ability of a single living cell to express its full genetic potential and develop into an entire multi-cellular organism.

Step 1: Evaluating the Assertion.
Assertion (A) states that a single plant cell can regenerate into a whole plantlet. This is a proven fact in biotechnology, demonstrated through techniques like single-cell culture and protoplast regeneration.

Step 2: Evaluating the Reason.
Reason (R) explains this by stating plant cells are totipotent. Because every living plant cell contains the entire genome and, under the right conditions, can revert to a meristematic state and then differentiate into all required tissues, this is the biological "engine" that allows Assertion (A) to be true.

Step 3: Determining the Relationship.
The reason directly explains "how" or "why" a single cell can become a plant. Therefore, both are correct, and (R) is the perfect explanation for (A).