Read Assertion and Reason than select correct option :
Assertion (A): Termites and ants are social insects.
Reason (R): Both establish fungus garden in their nests to feed on fungus.

Question

Read Assertion and Reason than select correct option : 
Assertion (A): Termites and ants are social insects. 
Reason (R): Both establish fungus garden in their nests to feed on fungus.

Accepted Answer

Option 2 is the correct answer, which states that both the assertion (A) and the reason (R) are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion. Let's break down why this is the case:

1. **Assertion (A): Termites and ants are social insects.**
   - This statement is true. Termites and ants are well-known for their social behavior. They live in colonies with a complex social structure, where individuals have specific roles such as workers, soldiers, and reproductive members. This social organization is a defining characteristic of these insects.

2. **Reason (R): Both establish fungus garden in their nests to feed on fungus.**
   - This statement is also true, but it applies more specifically to certain species within these groups. For example, some species of ants, like leaf-cutter ants, cultivate fungus gardens as their primary food source. Similarly, certain termite species, particularly those in the subfamily Macrotermitinae, cultivate fungus gardens. However, not all termites and ants engage in this behavior.

3. **Why Option 2 is correct:**
   - While both the assertion and the reason are true, the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion. The social nature of termites and ants is not solely or primarily due to their practice of establishing fungus gardens. Their social behavior is a result of evolutionary adaptations that allow them to efficiently exploit resources, protect their colonies, and ensure the survival of their species. The cultivation of fungus gardens is a specific behavior observed in some species, but it is not the defining factor of their social nature.

4. **Why the other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 1:** This option would be correct if the reason directly explained why termites and ants are social insects. However, as explained, the reason does not serve as the primary explanation for their social behavior.
   - **Option 3:** This option suggests that the reason is false, which is incorrect. The reason is true for certain species of termites and ants.
   - **Option 4:** This option states that both the assertion and the reason are false, which is incorrect. Both statements are true, as explained above.

In conclusion, Option 2 is the correct choice because it accurately reflects the truth of both statements while recognizing that the reason provided is not the direct explanation for the assertion.