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

Assertion (A) : According to DeVries, mutations are responsible for evolution of new species.

Reason    (R)  : Mutations are random, directionless, heritable minor variations.

In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

(A) is true but (R) is false.

• Assertion (A) is true. Hugo de Vries was a Dutch botanist who, along with Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin, contributed to the understanding of evolutionary processes. De Vries proposed the theory of mutationism, which suggested that mutations are responsible for the origin of new species. He believed that sudden and significant mutations, rather than gradual changes, were the main drivers of evolutionary change.
• Reason (R) is false. Mutations are random and heritable, directionless but not minor variations. Mutations are large. While some mutations may result in minor changes, others can lead to significant alterations in phenotype and genotype, including changes that may contribute to the origin of new species.