Assertion (A): In a monocot stem, the vascular bundles are scattered and each is surrounded by a sclerenchymatous bundle sheath.

Reason (R): The vascular bundles in a monocot stem are conjoint and closed, with peripheral vascular bundles generally smaller than those centrally located.

Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.

The correct answer is Option (2) -Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.

The monocot stem has a sclerenchymatous hypodermis, a large number of scattered vascular bundles, each surrounded by a sclerenchymatous bundle sheath, and a large, conspicuous parenchymatous ground tissue . Vascular bundles are conjoint and closed. Peripheral vascular bundles are generally smaller than the centrally located ones. The phloem parenchyma is absent, and water-containing cavities are present within the vascular bundles.