You are given a science question (easy-level) and four answer options (associated with "A", "B", "C", "D"). Your task is to find the correct answer based on scientific facts, knowledge, and reasoning. Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: 'A', 'B, 'C', 'D'. There is only one correct answer for each question.

Which explains how the epithelium offers protection to land-dwelling vertebrates?  
 (A) Epithelium provides a rigid shell to prevent punctures. (B) Epithelium has capillaries to resist iron deficiency. (C) Epithelium insulates the vertebrate from hypothermia. (D) Epithelium prevents dehydration in vertebrates.
D

During which stage of an insect's life cycle does the female lay eggs?  
 (A) nymph (B) larva (C) pupa (D) adult
D

Students conducted an investigation with green bananas. They hypothesized that an onion placed near a banana could increase the rate at which the banana ripened. They placed one onion and one banana in each of three containers. In a fourth container they placed a banana, but no onion. Which statement best explains why the onion was left out of the fourth container?  
 (A) The onion would contaminate the fourth trial. (B) The container without the onion is the control. (C) Three containers with onions are enough to conduct the test. (D) The container without the onion is the independent variable.

B