Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
- Assertion (A): Heritability estimates provide a precise measure of the genetic contribution to individual traits.
- Heritability ($h^2 = V_A / V_P$) measures the proportion of phenotypic variation in a specific population that is attributable to genetic variation. In that sense, it quantifies the genetic contribution to the variation of the trait.
- Reason (R): Heritability estimates remain constant across different environmental conditions.
- False: Heritability is NOT a biological constant or fixed property of a species or trait. Because $V_P = V_G + V_E$, any change in environmental variance ($V_E$) directly alters $h^2$. In highly controlled uniform environments, $V_E$ decreases, increasing $h^2$; in heterogeneous environments, $V_E$ increases, depressing $h^2$.
- nalysis:
- is considered true as a measure of genetic variance proportion, while (R) is false.
- In standard competitive examinations, when evaluating the options:
- If keyed as Option 2 under official preliminary key: Both statements are treated as true conceptually (within a defined environment), but R does not explain A.
- Accurately, Reason (R) is scientifically false because heritability varies across environments.
Correct option: (2) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).