Final answer:
Viroids are indeed free RNA because they are single-stranded, circular RNA particles without protein casings. The lack of protein codes is also true for viroids, but that is not why they are free RNA. The correct answer is B, where both the assertion and reason are true but the reason does not explain the assertion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that viroids are found to be free RNA is true, as they are small, single-stranded, circular RNA particles that lack a protective protein coat. The reason that viroids lack the protein codes found in viruses is also true as viroids do not manufacture any proteins and consist only of a short strand of circular RNA capable of self-replication.
However, the reason given is not the correct explanation for the assertion; it is not the lack of protein codes that makes them free RNA, but rather the fact that they are simply composed only of RNA without any protein casing. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is B. Both the Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation for the Assertion.