Assertion: In the gene gun method, microparticles are typically made of gold or tungsten and coated with the desired DNA.

Reason: The gene gun method is only applicable to animal cells and is not used in plant biotechnology.

Assertion (A) is true but Reason(R) is not correct.

The correct answer is Option (3) – Assertion (A) is true but Reason(R) is not correct.

The gene gun method, also known as the biolistic technique, is a powerful tool used in genetic engineering to introduce foreign DNA into plant cells. It involves the use of small microparticles, typically made of gold or tungsten, that are coated with the desired DNA. These coated microparticles are then accelerated to high velocities and shot into the plant cells.

Upon impact, the microparticles penetrate the cell walls and membranes, allowing the coated DNA to enter the plant cells. The foreign DNA is then taken up by the plant cell's machinery and incorporated into its genome. This process allows scientists to introduce new genes or modify existing ones in the plant, giving rise to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with desired traits.

Overall, the gene gun method has revolutionized plant biotechnology and has opened up new possibilities for crop improvement and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.