Question

Assertion: Genetic variation shown by the plant Rauvolfia vomitoria growing in different Himalayan ranges is very important economically.
Reason: The amount and variety of alkaloids present in this plant change both between the Rauwolfia species and between the different strains of R. vomitoria.
A. Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation for assertion.
B. Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation for assertion.
C. Assertion is correct but reason is not correct.
D. Assertion is not correct but reason is correct.

Answer 1

Rauvolfia vomitoria is a small tree or big shrub that can reach a height of meters (feet). The leaves develop in groups of three from swollen nodes, and the branches develop in whorls. The leaf blades are lanceolate or elliptical in shape and taper to a long tip. A globular crimson fruit follows the tiny, aromatic blooms. Latex is found in all sections of the plant except the mature wood.

Complete solution:
Rauvolfia vomitoria is an economically important plant because it produces a large variety of alkaloids which are pharmacologically very useful. Different species of Rauvolfia produce different types of alkaloids.
Thus,
Option A: It is correct because the assertion and reason are correct and the reason clearly justifies the assertion as R. vomitoria is an economically important plant.
Thus, option A is correct.
Option B: It is incorrect because assertion and reason are not only correct but reason justifies the assertion.
Option C is incorrect on the same grounds.
Option D is not correct on the same grounds.

So, Option A. Both assertion and reason are correct and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion is the correct answer.

Note:
Rauvolfia vomitoria has been utilized in traditional medicine for a long time. Diarrhea, jaundice, venereal illness, rheumatism, snakebites, colic, fever, to calm patients with worry or epilepsy, and to reduce blood pressure are all treated using a decoction or extract of the roots. The macerated root, as well as the bark and twigs, are used to treat a range of skin diseases.