Given below are two statements : One is labelled as Assertion (A) and other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A) : Cells of the tapetum possess dense cytoplasm and generally have more than one nucleus.
Reason (R) : Presence of more than one nucleus in the tapetum increases the efficiency of nourishing the developing microspore mother cells.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Answer: A is true but R is false.

Step 1: Understand the assertion (A).

The tapetum is the innermost layer of the anther wall that surrounds the developing pollen (microspores). Botanical textbooks describe tapetal cells as having a very dense cytoplasm because they store large amounts of nutrients, proteins, and enzymes that are essential for pollen development. Moreover, many tapetal cells are multinucleate (they contain more than one nucleus). This multinucleate condition arises from a process called endomitosis, where nuclear division occurs without cytokinesis, leading to several nuclei sharing a common cytoplasm.

Therefore, the factual components of statement A are:

• Tapetal cells possess dense cytoplasm – true.
• Tapetal cells generally have more than one nucleus – true.

Step 2: Analyze the reason (R).

Statement R claims that “the presence of more than one nucleus in the tapetum increases the efficiency of nourishing the developing microspore mother cells.” While it is correct that tapetal cells provide nutrients to microspores, the nutritional efficiency is primarily due to the abundant cytoplasmic reserves and the metabolic activity of the tapetum, not because the cells are multinucleate. The extra nuclei are a consequence of the cell’s developmental program and do not directly enhance nutrient transport or synthesis.

In other words, the number of nuclei is an anatomical characteristic, whereas the efficiency of nourishment depends on metabolic processes, enzyme production, and the large cytoplasmic volume. Hence, the causal link suggested by R is inaccurate.

Step 3: Conclusion.

Since both parts of statement A are factual, A is true. Because the mechanism described in R is not supported by botanical evidence, R is false. Consequently, the correct option is “A is true but R is false.”