Biology · Plant Growth and Development

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Abscisic acid (ABA) is widely referred to as the 'stress hormone' in plants. Reason (R): ABA stimulates the closure of stomata during water deficit and increases plant tolerance to diverse abiotic stresses. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A
   Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
2. B
   Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
3. C
   (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. D
   (A) is false but (R) is true.