| I: | vertical growth of seedlings | 
| II: | thinning of the axis | 
| III: | apical hook formation | 
| 1. | Inhibition of stem elongation, thickening of the stem, and horizontal growth. | 
| 2. | Increased leaf expansion, root elongation, and faster seed germination. | 
| 3. | Acceleration of flowering, increased transpiration, and decreased chlorophyll content. | 
| 4. | Suppression of fruit ripening, promotion of seed dormancy, and increased stomatal closure. | 
| Assertion (A): | Ethylene promotes fruit ripening. | 
| Reason (R): | Ethylene is a gaseous hormone that influences various aspects of plant development. | 
| 1. | Both (A) and (R) are True and (R) correctly explains (A) | 
| 2. | Both (A) and (R) are True but (R) does not correctly explain (A) | 
| 3. | (A) is True but (R) is False | 
| 4. | Both (A) and (R) are False |