Question

Assertion: Plant growth and development is intimately linked with the water status of plant cells.
Reason: Guttation is the process of water loss from hydathodes.

• A. Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
• B. Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
• C. The assertion is true but reason is false
• D. Both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

The correct option is B Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion

Water is vital and required for various purposes in plants. For example, during cell elongation and for maintenance of turgidity of growing cells, water is crucial. Water also provides a medium for enzyme action inside plant cells, helps in the uptake of nutrients from soil and maintains the osmolarity of cells. Even the slightest of deficiency of water in plants can cause reduced growth due to reduced photosynthetic yield. Water stress completely stops growth.

The water status of plants is influenced by water absorption by roots, the soil water content, temperature and humidity, transpiration, etc.

Guttation is the process of secretion of water droplets from the pores or tips and margins of leaves in some vascular plants. The liquid of guttation comprises a variety of inorganic and organic compounds.

Guttation is not the primary mechanism which regulates the water status of plants. Water status of plants is mainly regulated by absorption of water by roots and the regulated water loss due to transpiration from leaves.