In the Presence of Strong Acids,which of the Oxygen Atoms

Multiple Choice

In the presence of strong acids,which of the oxygen atoms on the carboxyl group is preferentially protonated and why?

A) Protonation occurs at the carbonyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate acid is stabilized by resonance.
B) Protonation occurs at the carbonyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate base is stabilized by the inductive effect.
C) Protonation occurs at the hydroxyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate acid is stabilized by resonance.
D) Protonation occurs at the hydroxyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate base is stabilized by the inductive effect.