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

Assertion (A): Bees are the pollinators of sunflower, Brassica, apple and pear.

Reason (R): Bee-keeping is not labour intensive.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the option given below.

(A) and (R) are true, but (R) does not explain (A).

Assertion (A): Bees are pollinators of many plants, including sunflowers, Brassica (which includes plants like broccoli, cabbage, and mustard), apple trees, and pear trees. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating these plants, helping them reproduce and produce fruits or seeds. Reason can be given as follows:

• Specialised Morphology: Bees have specialised body structures that make them effective pollinators. They have branched body hairs that can trap pollen grains, and they possess structures like pollen baskets on their hind legs for efficient pollen collection.
• Floral Attraction: Bees are attracted to the nectar and pollen of many flowering plants, including those mentioned. The bright colors, sweet nectar, and pleasant scents of these flowers act as signals that attract bees.
• Efficient Pollination: Bees are highly efficient at transferring pollen from the male parts (anthers) of one flower to the female parts (stigmas) of another flower of the same species. This transfer of pollen is essential for fertilization and the production of fruits and seeds.
• Flower Constancy: Bees often exhibit flower constancy, which means they tend to visit flowers of the same species during a foraging trip. This behavior increases the chances of successful pollination within a single plant species.
• Frequency of Visitation: Bees are known for their frequent visits to flowers. They collect nectar for their own nutrition and inadvertently transfer pollen as they move from flower to flower. This frequent visitation enhances the chances of successful pollination.

Reason (R): Bee-keeping is not labor-intensive.
Beekeeping is not labour-intensive. Beehives can be kept in one’s courtyard, on the verandah of the house or even on the roof.

In summary, Assertion (A) is correct, but Reason (R) is not entirely accurate. Therefore, there is no clear cause-and-effect relationship between the two statements. They are independent of each other.