Assertion (A): A creeping green and filamentous protonema of Funaria helps the organism to occupy a large surface of the substratum.
Reason (R): The zygote, the product of syngamy, directly produces a protonema which helps the organism to produce a large number of upright leafy sporophytic individuals.
Codes:

Correct option is A

Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
-Protonema does spread over the substratum — so Assertion (A) is true.
-However, the protonema arises from a spore, not from the zygote.
-The zygote produces the sporophyte, not protonema — so Reason (R) is false.
Information Booster:
-Protonema is the first stage in the gametophytic generation of moss.
-It develops from the germination of haploid spores.
-It forms buds that grow into leafy gametophores.
-Zygote develops into a diploid sporophyte, attached to the gametophyte.
-Moss life cycle is heteromorphic alternation of generations.
Additional Information (Incorrect Reason):
Reason wrongly attributes protonema origin to zygote instead of spore.